The Campus Companion's own Meg Going to the Loony Bin

OVER-EXTENSION

With increased pressure from institutions of higher education on students to be the “perfect” candidate, over-extension is becoming a rite of passage for undergraduates, and graduates, alike. Medical schools, for instance, require perfect grades, amazing MCAT scores, and documentation of shadowing opportunities, volunteer experience, and extracurricular activities (all adding up to thousands of hours of work throughout your undergraduate years).

It is becoming so difficult to obtain a seat in a graduate program that admission entrance statistics are reaching as low as 0-1%, depending on the field concentration. Is it any wonder that Generation Y is known for its addiction to Adderall and anxiety meds?

Have no fear, help is here. While building a strong resume and performing well on standardized exit exams is important, we college students have forgotten our true reason for attending these institutions: obtaining a degree. Yes, these programs require more than phenomenal grades for acceptance, but if we lose sight of our academic standings in order to stand out in our experience, we have already forgotten why we are here. So, what can be done to cure the crunch-time panic attacks?

BE PICKY

Open up your crammed planner and start knocking off unnecessary stress. That extra shift at the volunteer office is a great ambition, but if it means you don’t sleep, it is probably not the healthiest choice for your academic career, not to mention your physical health.

JUST SAY NO

If your plate is already full and toppling over, don’t add stress to your life by accepting another responsibility. It’s hard when you want to help out, or make some extra money, but it’s not always worth the chest pains and tension headaches.

CUT BACK

As a self-sufficient student, it is extremely difficult to cut back on hours at work; however, when schoolwork is piling up, it can be more than necessary. Cut back on your expenditures, so you can cut back on the hours. Plan meals at home, rather than going to restaurants. Rent a movie instead of going to the theater. Find free events on campus to attend on the weekends, rather than spending money on community events. College kids love free stuff, and college campuses strive to provide it.

PLAN AHEAD

If you are unable to cut back on time commitments, make sure you plan your schedule down to the minute, and avoid deviating. It is extremely difficult to do, but it can be done. Time management is key when you have over-extended yourself.

DELEGATE

Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Type A personalities have a difficult time with this one. You are born leaders, and we get it. But, asking for help or spreading out the work load does not mean you are incapable. In fact, it is quite the opposite. It shows that you are confident enough to recognize that letting other people help can be an asset, rather than a hinderance.

***

Essentially, learning your limits is a major part of the college experience. It is extremely difficult to decide where your so-called “loyalties” lie, and even more difficult to cut back on the aspects of collegiate life that you enjoy. Trust me, we have ALL been where you are. In fact, many, myself included, have hit this point a few times along the way. However, keep in mind that this is the time in your life when it’s okay for it to be ALL ABOUT YOU!

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The common creed of college students is “Woe is me. I have no money. I live in poverty.”

Here’s a solution [and a quite revolutionary one at that]… GET A JOB

I know for many it’s a new concept, and there is nothing wrong with not having work experience before college. But, let’s face it. You are out of the house and mooching off your parents. It’s about time you pulled your weight around here.

Now, many will argue against working through college with some of the following excuses:

• “My grades will suffer.”
• “I don’t have time.”
• “No one wants to hire a student.”
• “I don’t have enough experience.”
• “My parents pay for everything, so why should I?”

These are all excuses that seem plausible, but are really just holding you back from meeting your potential. In fact, I can address all of these with easy solutions.

GRADES

If you study efficiently, and spend the time working that you would normally watch TV, or spend on Facebook, you would not have to worry about your grades suffering. Focus on your studies and study without distraction. Study in small spurts to help with processing. Don’t cram. Overworking can be an issue for grades, yes. But, if you know your limits and put in adequate time studying this won’t be an issue. I work more than 30 hours a week and still manage to pull A’s and B’s in my classes. It’s all about what you are willing to give up. Is working a few hours a week and avoiding the downward spiral into credit card debt more important than watching 4 hours of reality television?

TIME

Say it with me. Time management. We have all heard of it, but most of us avoid the concept in its entirety. Unless, of course, it comes to partying. Well, here it is folks. Make time for a job, just like you do for homework, studying, and getting trashed on the weekends. Set a schedule for yourself. Tell your boss how many hours you are willing to work and plan accordingly. You can study further in advance for a test provided you plan your schedule right. And if you freak during finals, plan ahead. Hell, ask for finals off. Believe it or not, many bosses that hire college students are fully amenable to this.

HIRE-ABILITY

If I hear one more student say it’s impossible to get a job in college, I may scream. I have three. It is not impossible. It is just about actually going out and looking for something. And yes, sometimes you have to start in a shitty position to get to where you want to be. We have all done it. You don’t just walk into the perfect job. It takes hard work, time, and yes, a lot of ass-kissing. So, prepare to pucker up and bust your ass. In the end, you will enjoy the benefits.

EXPERIENCE

This should be an easy concept to explain. Experience comes from getting a job. No, you will not walk into a position as CEO of a global corporation. Set your sights a little lower. Yes, entry level positions typically blow. But, these positions give you the experience you need to move up and out. Sometimes you just have to be a peon for a bit to get the experience you need to move up in a company.

PARENTS

Yes, if you are lucky enough to have help from your parents, it can be nice to have that security blanket; that wonderful cushion. But, let’s face it, you have sucked them dry for long enough. They have provided for your ass for eighteen years and would probably appreciate a miniscule amount of help on your part. Yet again, this is not to say you must immediately take on every responsibility. If I had the choice, I would still use that security blanket to an extent. That being said, getting a part-time job to pay for your social life would be a good idea. Having your parents pay for your partying habits is a little much at this age.

CONCLUSIONS

Basically, take responsibility for yourself. Accept help from your family when you need it, but stop using piss poor excuses to leech every penny from your parents. Plus, there are added benefits for you, as well.

What benefits, you ask?

Resume Builder

Future employers, graduate programs, etc., love to see work experience. It shows that you can manage your time and be successful at more than one thing.

Multitasking

Once again, this skill is important in the work force. No employer wants someone that cannot manage a heavy workload. You will be thrown many different assignments at once during your career. In fact, you will be expected to do things outside of the “nine to five” spectrum. Being able to manage a life and work, while being successful, are skills you can only learn for experience.

Social network

You not only network in a business sense at your job, but you also meet many different people that you would not normally meet in a classroom setting. Some of my closest friends are people I have met at previous places of employment. And, the best part is that they completely understand when you are swamped at work and need a relaxing night at home. Friendships with a lot less pressure. Where’s bad, I ask?

So, go forth into the world and find a job [or three]. No more excuses. No more dawdling. Start enjoying the benefits of having a job, and give your parents a break!

The post 5 Piss Poor Excuses for Not Having a Job in College. appeared first on The Campus Companion.

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Webster defines feminism as “the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes.”

This is not to say that the extreme feminists don’t exist, as with any cultural group. You know the one’s I am talking about. The women that believe in a world, where men are used strictly for the heavy-lifting, or possibly nonexistent. These are the women that give feminism a bad name. I am a firm believer in feminism and I know that the world would be a boring (and evolutionarily doomed) place without the existence of men. Biologically speaking, the human race needs men for quite obvious, and entertaining, reasons.

So, in terms of why people should care about feminism, I can say this: it’s everywhere. Welcome to the world. My only hope is to encourage proactive involvement and eliminate the fear of the “F” word. How can you do this, you ask?

Women of the world: Take charge of yourself. You don’t need a man to hand feed you, tie your shoes, or plan out your entire life. You have a brain. Use it.

Rather than expecting a man to take the lead and provide your income, take the initiative and get a job. Engage in a partnership with your significant other, rather than depending solely on him to do everything but wipe your ass. His wallet should not be your “money tree.” Chivalry is a wonderful concept, but when it comes to expecting a man to pay for everything, the concept is medieval at best.  Besides, most guys will pay for your meal on a date, but 9/10 will think you are much more down to earth, cool and sexy if you do “the check dance”.

A college education and future career goal are important, even for you, women. And this is not refering to the ever so popular “MRS degree” obtained from universities. College is expensive. Get a degree in something you can use, not just “How to please a husband 101″. Take pride in what YOU can accomplish. Having children and being a mother is fine and dandy, as long as you are not settling for what is deemed appropriate for the little miss. Besides, what is wrong with having a Plan B, in the case that the man and marriage of your dreams turns out to be NOT so perfect.

And NOW.  I haven’t forgotten about you, men.

Feminism. Say it, slowly. I can guarantee  you didn’t suffer a stroke from uttering those four syllables. It’s a word that is not simply for the “man-eaters’ of the world. It’s a theory of equality that should be fully recognized in society. Unfortunately, we, feminists struggle to win the acceptance of the male population, who fear that we will burn our bras in protest and forget the essential use of a razor. But, here’s a News Flash: Feminism does NOT equate to free-balling and hairy legs. All we ask is that we aren’t immediately ignored due to our lack of a penis.

Although we don’t have the skill to stand whilst peeing, we do have brains too. It would be nice if it was valued as much as our bra size and cullinary skills.   And you are men. Alpha males unite. We GET this. We know that you like to “take-care,” of your significant other.  But, would it hurt to realize that women are perfectly capable of taking care of themselves without being considered a butch? Or that an independent woman can be a relief from the monotony of “pay for my dinner” or “why don’t you pay attention to me anymore?”

Essentially, feminism isn’t something to be feared or discouraged, from either sex. The harshest critics of feminism are women that claim that feminists are the reason chivalry is dead. Well, misguided women of the world, you are still most welcome for your voting rights. First off, men don’t stop being chivalrous just because their women can take care of themselves; they drop the act when they realize they can get what they want without the effort.  On the contrary, when a woman does not need a man, it is then that men must try that much harder.   The male population is often affected by fear of the unknown, and along with that, fear of being considered less manly, but it’s okay to learn about feminism. Its an integral part of society. It doesn’t make you less of a man. It makes you more informed; a quality that is high on the “Hell yes, he’s a keeper” scale.

So, why should we care? Because, feminism is everywhere. Feminism is for everyone.

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“What the hell does she want from me?”

“She is completely blowing this out of proportion!”

“She twists every miniscule thing I do into something different! I just can’t win.”

Ever wondered why the female species seems to be on a completely different playing field? You are up to bat, ball in the pocket, and a homerun just up your sleeve, when all the sudden, you strike out.

It’s the classic female curve-ball.

We, as women, are trained to zig, when men think we are going to zag. It’s a part of our nature; it makes us interesting, or at least confusing enough to merit a small amount of that mysterious attraction we so desperately aspire to.

So, how can the male population learn how to please us? Easy. Pick up a book. There is a reason that the romance novel enterprise is such a large business. Most girls have read AT LEAST one romance novel by the age of sixteen; many have continued on to try and support the enterprise single-handedly. Either way, it’s all written down, in plain English. These books are not the next Nietzsche or Tolstoy, but they do establish perspective.  It’s an easy concept to grasp, if only you would try.

We want an alpha male with a sensitive heart. A man that can ride up on a white stallion, yet let us take the reins for a bit. We want you to laugh at our jokes and play nice with our friends. You should have the sense of a dog, to feel when our mood is not right. And NEVER, EVER try to pass it off to PMS, if we are in a shitty mood. We may know it, but we don’t need someone to point it out. It tends to piss us off. We want a man that brings flowers, not on Valentine’s Day when the entire world storms the floral market, but spontaneously, just because he knew it would make us smile. We want someone to be able to defend our honor, without actually starting a brawl in the middle of a bar. In other words, we want a complete contradiction.

It’s been like this since the day Eve took a bite out of the apple. Get used to it.

And if this doesn’t work, it’s all about the communication.  It’s okay. Words. That’s all we are asking for. We respect questions. What we don’t respect is assumptions.

So, if it seems like you just can’t win. It’s the bottom of the ninth and you are down by a run. Pick up a book. Ask a question. You may just hit it out of the park.

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