Balancing Act of Kalamazoo College Prepares Students For The World After Graduation
By Munirah McGovern
College students undergo many major life changes: first adjusting to living away from home, having new experiences and making new friends, and later on the challenge of balancing all of these commitments while completing a high level of schoolwork. K College is no exception to this rule; in fact, many say that the workload experienced by K students may be harder than the average school because of factors like the quarter system, which packs extensive learning and information into a ten week term, and participation in many of the college’s 93 student organizations.
Lenya Friesner K’08 sums it up, saying “There's ‘busy’, and then there's ‘Kalamazoo College’“.
“K pulls students who are perfectionists, high achieving, smart, capable, and used to doing well” says Dr. Danielle Standish, a staff psychologist at K College’s counseling center. These qualities enable K students to deal with the course load they experience at K, but it also makes them experience more stress. “The students are uptight and focused, which makes life harder for them for more responsibilities they have as the weeks pass.” The more commitments a student has, the less time they have to spend on each individually, making it harder for them to focus as usual, and forcing them to make decisions on how to spend their time.
“I think you have to determine what is important to you. At K everyone is involved in multiple things, so it’s easy to end up with too many commitments and not be able to balance them all. You have to decide where you want devote your attention, and how much time you can invest” says Amber Cussen K’09, a Biology and Art major with a minor in Chinese.
Perfectionism and procrastination are the sometimes deadly combination that plagues all college students, especially with students at demanding schools like K. A majority of students at K were at the top of their class in high school, and many of them got there by being perfectionists. The change to a college workload is hard for a lot of students, as is the acceptance of the fact that they won’t always receive the same type of grades that got them to K. Once students experience a grade that wasn’t what they hoped for, many start to dread their next assignment in the fear that they won’t do as well as they hope and so they put it off, which is the beginning of a pattern of procrastination.
“Students often procrastinate from fear of failure, but they can also procrastinate from fear of success,” says Dr. Standish. “Leaving something till the last minute gives them an out, ‘I could have done better if I’d had more time’. Also, some thrive on the last minute pressure and adrenaline that they get from doing something at the last minute.” Some students are able to balance this pressure and get their work done, but others spend so much time trying for perfection that they are unable to get anything done. “I do think that people become so perfectionistic that they get consumed by getting it right until it’s not even about the material anymore, it’s just their personal battle.” For students in this type of situation, Dr. Standish suggests remembering the things that keep you grounded and making time for them. Those who spend all their time worrying about grades don’t leave themselves enough time for friends, family, and other support, which often makes their performance less meaningful than those who make time for all parts of their life by not leaving things till the last moment.
This school year, the counseling center has seen an increase in issues related to academics on campus with an upswing in traffic around fifth week of fall quarter continuing steadily towards finals. During winter quarter the schedule is busy from second or third week on, and during spring quarter with spring fever, students coming back from study abroad, it is “relentless”.
In spite of the academic pressures, freshmen are anxious to be involved in many of the activities and groups available at K. This attitude of participation tends to continue on throughout their college career, adding to the community and making it more well-rounded, but also adding yet another responsibility to an already full plate. The main reason that students continue to participate is the impact that it has on their lives to impact the lives of others.
“College is college, you have your work that you have to do and then there’s work that you can do to make a difference around you. I don’t think I’d be happy unless I thought I was doing something to make a difference," says Kammy Webb, president of the newly founded American Civil Liberties Union on campus, as well as a member of EnvOrg and an RA in DeWaters Hall.
Though it may be hard for current students to look 10 to 15 years down the road and see what opportunities and experience their current situation may afford them, alumni truly appreciate what they have gained here. Some alums are able to look back at say that their time at K gave them enough experience to join the workforce and make an immediate impact.
“The stress level at K is so much higher than in the real world that it prepares you for life after graduation. You end up more prepared than some people who have spent ten or fifteen years working professionally in the field because of what you’ve had to deal with for four years at K,” said Brennan McBride, a K alum and member of the class of 2007.
In the end, if students can manage to balance all their responsibilities, they learn not only how to manage stress, but how each of their commitments feeds off one another. Clare Lindley, K’08 said it best. “I guess I've figured out the few things that keep me happy and so keeping them balanced is so important. Even though it's difficult, they're all vital to one another.”
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
http://www.hoopgurlz.com/story/life-after-death
This story hits really close to home for me because Kentlake High School is near where I grew up and I remember reading about Carly Stowell and Morganne Comstock in the paper when I was home for winter break last year, and of course any story that has basketball and emotional stuff in it is gonna get me every time. I loved the lede, and I really think the author does a great job conveying the grief and loss felt by everyone throughout the piece, simultaneously remembering and honoring Stowell and looking forward to the future of the team. The only flaw I could find was that I personally thought the kicker could have been a little different and had more of an impact, but I thought it was definitely adequate the way it is as well.
And here's another article about the same story if anyone's interested...but from a slightly different perspective but just as well-written and sad in my opinion
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/preps/324079_stowell18.html?source=rss
This story hits really close to home for me because Kentlake High School is near where I grew up and I remember reading about Carly Stowell and Morganne Comstock in the paper when I was home for winter break last year, and of course any story that has basketball and emotional stuff in it is gonna get me every time. I loved the lede, and I really think the author does a great job conveying the grief and loss felt by everyone throughout the piece, simultaneously remembering and honoring Stowell and looking forward to the future of the team. The only flaw I could find was that I personally thought the kicker could have been a little different and had more of an impact, but I thought it was definitely adequate the way it is as well.
And here's another article about the same story if anyone's interested...but from a slightly different perspective but just as well-written and sad in my opinion
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/preps/324079_stowell18.html?source=rss
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
revised immigration sidebar
Immigration Experience/McGovern
Charles Cooper On Immigration and Living In the U.S.
By Munirah McGovern
Charles Cooper has been living in the United States. since he arrived here to attend college at the age of 18. Twenty-seven years later, classified as a resident alien, he lives in Ypsilanti, Mich. with his family, where he makes his living as an architect.
Mr. Cooper, 45, is a black man, tall and lanky, who wears glasses and is slightly balding. He arrived here from Liberia in 1980, married his sweetheart who followed him here soon after, and began a family that now includes six children. His motive for coming to America was to attend college, first in Detroit, and then at the University of Michigan.
When he first entered the country, he was granted a non-immigrant visa, and once he was a student he received a visa which allowed him to stay for the duration of his college
career but would not allow him to work in this country. When he graduated from college, Mr. Cooper was given an immigrant visa, also known as a green card, so he could continue to reside in the United States for an extended period of time.
Since his original move here, he has visited Africa four times, but has continued to reside in Ypsilanti, Mich. His wife has since become a U.S. citizen, but he is still known as a resident alien, a foreigner with permission to live in the country. Although he has no plans to become a citizen in the near future, he is still opinionated about U.S. policies concerning immigrants and the changes that have occurred since his arrival here.
When it comes to the current U.S. immigration policy, Mr. Cooper was quick to point out the differences between now and when he entered the country. The rise of terrorism has made the U.S. wary of a large influx of new immigrants, a sharp contrast to the situation when he arrived here. “Back then they were actively seeking people to immigrate here, now there’s a lot more restrictions. Everybody’s paranoid, and for good reason. I don’t like it, but I understand,”.
Charles Cooper On Immigration and Living In the U.S.
By Munirah McGovern
Charles Cooper has been living in the United States. since he arrived here to attend college at the age of 18. Twenty-seven years later, classified as a resident alien, he lives in Ypsilanti, Mich. with his family, where he makes his living as an architect.
Mr. Cooper, 45, is a black man, tall and lanky, who wears glasses and is slightly balding. He arrived here from Liberia in 1980, married his sweetheart who followed him here soon after, and began a family that now includes six children. His motive for coming to America was to attend college, first in Detroit, and then at the University of Michigan.
When he first entered the country, he was granted a non-immigrant visa, and once he was a student he received a visa which allowed him to stay for the duration of his college
career but would not allow him to work in this country. When he graduated from college, Mr. Cooper was given an immigrant visa, also known as a green card, so he could continue to reside in the United States for an extended period of time.
Since his original move here, he has visited Africa four times, but has continued to reside in Ypsilanti, Mich. His wife has since become a U.S. citizen, but he is still known as a resident alien, a foreigner with permission to live in the country. Although he has no plans to become a citizen in the near future, he is still opinionated about U.S. policies concerning immigrants and the changes that have occurred since his arrival here.
When it comes to the current U.S. immigration policy, Mr. Cooper was quick to point out the differences between now and when he entered the country. The rise of terrorism has made the U.S. wary of a large influx of new immigrants, a sharp contrast to the situation when he arrived here. “Back then they were actively seeking people to immigrate here, now there’s a lot more restrictions. Everybody’s paranoid, and for good reason. I don’t like it, but I understand,”.
--30--
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/28/us/28girlscout.html?ref=todayspaper
I found this article a few days ago when I was reading the paper and thought it was really interesting. It begins with a great lede that pulls the reader in and makes them want to continue reading to learn more about Haidara and the other young girls who appear in the article, and discussion of the discrimination Muslims face begins in the second paragraph. The combination of a widely stereotyped and misunderstood group with an all-American institution like the Girl-Scouts makes the article very interesting and informative, as it manages to discuss both the girls' devotion to their faith and awareness about their situation as well as how much fun the girls have participating in Girl Scout activities. I found it really interesting how there are customized badges for Muslim girl scouts that reward the girls for various activities connected to their religion, and how the author showed that Muslim's today can participate in "normal" all-American activities and be proud of living in American while still keeping true to their faith.
I found this article a few days ago when I was reading the paper and thought it was really interesting. It begins with a great lede that pulls the reader in and makes them want to continue reading to learn more about Haidara and the other young girls who appear in the article, and discussion of the discrimination Muslims face begins in the second paragraph. The combination of a widely stereotyped and misunderstood group with an all-American institution like the Girl-Scouts makes the article very interesting and informative, as it manages to discuss both the girls' devotion to their faith and awareness about their situation as well as how much fun the girls have participating in Girl Scout activities. I found it really interesting how there are customized badges for Muslim girl scouts that reward the girls for various activities connected to their religion, and how the author showed that Muslim's today can participate in "normal" all-American activities and be proud of living in American while still keeping true to their faith.
revised speech coverage
Zarate-Laun Speaks About Colombia/McGovern
Colombian Peace Activist Cecilia Zarate-Laun Speaks At Kalamazoo College
By Munirah McGovern
KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- Cecilia Zarate-Laun, M.A., the co-founder of the Colombia Support Network and an advocate for peace and social justice in Columbia, gave a speech last night at Kalamazoo College. Her topic was the current conflict in Colombia, what is being done to remedy the situation, and everyday United States citizens can do to help speed the changes.
Zarate-Laun, a native Colombian, spoke passionately, educating the crowd of nearly one hundred about the conflict that has been affecting her country for the past four decades. As she told those in attendance, Colombia operates as a democracy, and is home to 44 million people. While it is extremely rich in natural resources like gold, oil, gas, and coal, 65 percent of the population lives below the poverty level, which makes democracy unable to flourish. “A democracy can’t function, exist, or be competitive with such differences in wealth” she said, discussing the constant upheaval and rebellion occurring in Colombia.
Because most of those in attendance were uninformed about the source of the conflict, she related the facts of how it all began. According Zarate-Laun, the original source of conflict was military groups reacting to years of hard times and oppression. There are three main groups involved in the conflict: the left-wing guerillas, right-wing paramilitary, and the state security forces. In 1960 these problems came to a head, with 300,000 civilians losing their lives and a total of 3.8 million more fleeing leaving the country, more than any conflict except Darfur. Since then, the growing problem of cocaine has amplified the already volatile situation, causing it to escalate rather than diminish. The U.S. has been providing aid, but all the money has gone to military efforts rather than anti-drug efforts.
Zarate-Laun closed by recommending that everyone in attendance contact their senators and voice their support for the movement for peace in Colombia, and saying that young generation is truly the future of our world. “Young people are the future...physically carrying the torch for the whole world..it’s very important to be energetic to keep democracy alive and well.”
Colombian Peace Activist Cecilia Zarate-Laun Speaks At Kalamazoo College
By Munirah McGovern
KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- Cecilia Zarate-Laun, M.A., the co-founder of the Colombia Support Network and an advocate for peace and social justice in Columbia, gave a speech last night at Kalamazoo College. Her topic was the current conflict in Colombia, what is being done to remedy the situation, and everyday United States citizens can do to help speed the changes.
Zarate-Laun, a native Colombian, spoke passionately, educating the crowd of nearly one hundred about the conflict that has been affecting her country for the past four decades. As she told those in attendance, Colombia operates as a democracy, and is home to 44 million people. While it is extremely rich in natural resources like gold, oil, gas, and coal, 65 percent of the population lives below the poverty level, which makes democracy unable to flourish. “A democracy can’t function, exist, or be competitive with such differences in wealth” she said, discussing the constant upheaval and rebellion occurring in Colombia.
Because most of those in attendance were uninformed about the source of the conflict, she related the facts of how it all began. According Zarate-Laun, the original source of conflict was military groups reacting to years of hard times and oppression. There are three main groups involved in the conflict: the left-wing guerillas, right-wing paramilitary, and the state security forces. In 1960 these problems came to a head, with 300,000 civilians losing their lives and a total of 3.8 million more fleeing leaving the country, more than any conflict except Darfur. Since then, the growing problem of cocaine has amplified the already volatile situation, causing it to escalate rather than diminish. The U.S. has been providing aid, but all the money has gone to military efforts rather than anti-drug efforts.
Zarate-Laun closed by recommending that everyone in attendance contact their senators and voice their support for the movement for peace in Colombia, and saying that young generation is truly the future of our world. “Young people are the future...physically carrying the torch for the whole world..it’s very important to be energetic to keep democracy alive and well.”
--30--
http://www.govolsxtra.com/news/2007/nov/04/taurasi-has-the-golden-touch/
While I found this article while procrastinating by reading sports articles online (like I end up doing way too often:) ) I really liked the article and ended up reading it over again from a journalist's point of view even after I'd read it once and absorbed the facts and figures. I thought the lede was really good, especially because of how the article spent more time detailing her accomplishments later on. Also, the quotes that were used helped to get even an uniformed reader interested, as well as doing a good job of describing Taurasi's character in further detail just as her fans know her. I thought the article was a nice mix of anecdotes, discussion of past games, statistics, and some discussion of future possibilities for Taurasi and the teams, and I also really liked the kicker, which is especially funny to fans that know about the Uconn-Tennessee rivalry.
While I found this article while procrastinating by reading sports articles online (like I end up doing way too often:) ) I really liked the article and ended up reading it over again from a journalist's point of view even after I'd read it once and absorbed the facts and figures. I thought the lede was really good, especially because of how the article spent more time detailing her accomplishments later on. Also, the quotes that were used helped to get even an uniformed reader interested, as well as doing a good job of describing Taurasi's character in further detail just as her fans know her. I thought the article was a nice mix of anecdotes, discussion of past games, statistics, and some discussion of future possibilities for Taurasi and the teams, and I also really liked the kicker, which is especially funny to fans that know about the Uconn-Tennessee rivalry.
narrative article
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/04/nyregion/04towns.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper
This article, titled "Perhaps a Boor (or a Bore), but Imus Makes It Work", was written by Peter Applebome and published in the NY Times on Sunday November 4, 2007. It discusses Don Imus's return to the radio after he was fired from CBS Radio back in April for making racist and sexist comments on the air. The article covers both past events and current opinions of Imus. At first Applebome seems to lean toward the side of Imus, but then towards the end of the piece he actually says that he was targeted by Imus and that he's not "a member of Imus's club". The piece used a lot of description, discussing Imus's show at the beginning of the piece, and also had an interesting way of covering both sides of the debate over Imus being allowed back on the air, comparing him to other radio djs.
This article, titled "Perhaps a Boor (or a Bore), but Imus Makes It Work", was written by Peter Applebome and published in the NY Times on Sunday November 4, 2007. It discusses Don Imus's return to the radio after he was fired from CBS Radio back in April for making racist and sexist comments on the air. The article covers both past events and current opinions of Imus. At first Applebome seems to lean toward the side of Imus, but then towards the end of the piece he actually says that he was targeted by Imus and that he's not "a member of Imus's club". The piece used a lot of description, discussing Imus's show at the beginning of the piece, and also had an interesting way of covering both sides of the debate over Imus being allowed back on the air, comparing him to other radio djs.
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