Who says this BLURB thing is worthless? Here, for example, is a priceless study tip for you. And it's free for the taking.
Spend less time and energy worrying about and hoping about and complaining about something you have to do or learn, and more time actually trying to do it or learn it. Sometimes it helps to take a little time to complete just one little step in the process. Write the first sentence. Do the first math problem. Study and memorize one key term or concept. Read the first three pages. Just crossing the boundary between avoiding it and doing it, can make a big difference. Then when you come back to the task with the necessary time, you've already started.
Go ahead. Give it a try.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
Love the Local Flavors
This week Wednesday night is the Kick-off of the "Locavore Challenge." Check out the "Blue Devils Go Green" Blog on the campus homepage for all the particulars.
Of course, some of us think we have a great chance at winning the challenge simply based on the fact that we eat a lot more than other people, and therefore will also likely eat more local food than skinny little picky eaters.
Hmmm . . . there may be something wrong with this logic.
But, contest or not, eating locally grown or made food has its own rewards. Compare the taste of your granny's homemade pickles to any kind you can get at the store, or the taste of fresh apple juice or cider from the farmer's market to commercially made stuff, or the taste of a plump juicy tomato you pick off the vine to the kind that arrives hard as an eight ball in a carton from God-knows-where. They're not even the same species! So whatever other good things come from eating locally, one thing you can bank on is that the local, homemade, fresh stuff will reward you with tasting great.
Of course, some of us think we have a great chance at winning the challenge simply based on the fact that we eat a lot more than other people, and therefore will also likely eat more local food than skinny little picky eaters.
Hmmm . . . there may be something wrong with this logic.
But, contest or not, eating locally grown or made food has its own rewards. Compare the taste of your granny's homemade pickles to any kind you can get at the store, or the taste of fresh apple juice or cider from the farmer's market to commercially made stuff, or the taste of a plump juicy tomato you pick off the vine to the kind that arrives hard as an eight ball in a carton from God-knows-where. They're not even the same species! So whatever other good things come from eating locally, one thing you can bank on is that the local, homemade, fresh stuff will reward you with tasting great.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Get Ready. Get Set. Vote!
Every four years college students are on the receiving end of a big push--to get out and vote. Duh!
And in Wisconsin, they make it pretty easy. This week there's even someone on campus from the League of Women Voters who will register you on the spot so that you're good to go and vote on November 4th.
But the BLURB goes it one better: be an informed voter. If you've been checking out the national news/opinion forums--CNN, FOX, MSNBC, PBS, CBS, ABC, NBC, etc.--and any of the bazillion shows covering the Presidential Election, you know that the slant, and even the story itself, that you get depends so much on the channel you happen to be watching. So what's a body to do? Easy. Watch a couple of different channels and watch the upcoming debates. Then, equipped with at least that much information, cast your vote. 'Cause, you name the issue, a lot is riding on this election.
And in Wisconsin, they make it pretty easy. This week there's even someone on campus from the League of Women Voters who will register you on the spot so that you're good to go and vote on November 4th.
But the BLURB goes it one better: be an informed voter. If you've been checking out the national news/opinion forums--CNN, FOX, MSNBC, PBS, CBS, ABC, NBC, etc.--and any of the bazillion shows covering the Presidential Election, you know that the slant, and even the story itself, that you get depends so much on the channel you happen to be watching. So what's a body to do? Easy. Watch a couple of different channels and watch the upcoming debates. Then, equipped with at least that much information, cast your vote. 'Cause, you name the issue, a lot is riding on this election.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Is anyone out there?
Most BLOGS have a response feature built in, but for some reason this BLURB doesn't. But if you want to respond--compliment, complain, suggest, or just comment--to any of the posts on The Blurb you can do so to theblurb@uwc.edu. The Blurber is waiting to hear from you!
Monday, September 8, 2008
campus life nights
For the last ten years, UW-Manitowoc's Student Senate has been pulling off this cool series of events or programs that they call Campus Life Nights (or maybe it's Campus Night Life's). Usually they start at 9:00 on Wednesday nights because by that time most students are done with class and work for the day, and it sort of marks making it over the hump of the week. It's a time to kick back with some sort of friendly gathering or maybe a cut-throat competition like Battle of the Sexes or a dessert-making contest. (That one can get especially messy.) There's almost always something to eat or drink, and there is often a cheesy prize or two involved.
This week they're sponsoring one of dubious pleasure for some of us and of great adventure and excitement for others--Capture the Flag in the Park in the Dark. To date they've only had one sprained ankle and one lost person, and the ankle healed and the lost one was found. The losing team has to serve pizza and soda to the winners. Serious competitors come in ninja or night gear, but the only real advice on what to wear is something you don't mind getting dirty and serious footwear--NO Flip-flops! Save them for "jammies and a chick-flick" night.
This week they're sponsoring one of dubious pleasure for some of us and of great adventure and excitement for others--Capture the Flag in the Park in the Dark. To date they've only had one sprained ankle and one lost person, and the ankle healed and the lost one was found. The losing team has to serve pizza and soda to the winners. Serious competitors come in ninja or night gear, but the only real advice on what to wear is something you don't mind getting dirty and serious footwear--NO Flip-flops! Save them for "jammies and a chick-flick" night.
Join in on Co-curriclars: It Pays Off
It used to be that "joining" anything had a bit of a dorky edge to it, but there has been a definite shift in attitudes toward joining. Now it has more of the air of "stepping up" or "contributing" to the greater good, or, at the very least, acting on our social instincts by being part of the group, the clan . . . the human race.
At UW-Manitowoc "joining" is, in most cases, pretty effortless. If you put your name and contact information on the sign-up sheet (located in the curved corridor on the way to the Commons) for, say, Future Teachers, or Extreme Outdoors, or Goin' Green, or Sheepshead Anonymous, or any of the dozen or so active campus organizations, someone from the group will contact you to let you know when and where the organizational meeting will be taking place. You show up. You check it out. You decide if there is something in it for you, and you take it from there. If you didn't sign up for anything in advance, you are still welcome to attend meetings and join at a later date. Just check out the TV message monitors for meeting times and places.
Privileges come with joining:
#1) It's a very competitive world out there. Being involved in clubs and organizations can give you an edge. At the very least, active participation in a club or organization tells the person looking at your resume down the road that you're the type of person that does more than what's required. And that's always a good thing.
#2) Participation in co-curriculars--athletics, clubs, service programs, creative and performing arts, student government, pre-professional organizations--provides you with opportunities to build your interpersonal communication and leadership skills, and establishes important networks of information and support.
#3) You meet people with common interests and don't have to go through eHarmony.
#4) Joiners (engaged students) get better grades. It's true. They do.
#5) It's frequently fun. Sometimes exciting. Occasionally demanding. Often rewarding. And, frequently FUN.
At a small campus like this, it is very easy to get involved. And, really, it's a win-win-win sort of thing.
At UW-Manitowoc "joining" is, in most cases, pretty effortless. If you put your name and contact information on the sign-up sheet (located in the curved corridor on the way to the Commons) for, say, Future Teachers, or Extreme Outdoors, or Goin' Green, or Sheepshead Anonymous, or any of the dozen or so active campus organizations, someone from the group will contact you to let you know when and where the organizational meeting will be taking place. You show up. You check it out. You decide if there is something in it for you, and you take it from there. If you didn't sign up for anything in advance, you are still welcome to attend meetings and join at a later date. Just check out the TV message monitors for meeting times and places.
Privileges come with joining:
#1) It's a very competitive world out there. Being involved in clubs and organizations can give you an edge. At the very least, active participation in a club or organization tells the person looking at your resume down the road that you're the type of person that does more than what's required. And that's always a good thing.
#2) Participation in co-curriculars--athletics, clubs, service programs, creative and performing arts, student government, pre-professional organizations--provides you with opportunities to build your interpersonal communication and leadership skills, and establishes important networks of information and support.
#3) You meet people with common interests and don't have to go through eHarmony.
#4) Joiners (engaged students) get better grades. It's true. They do.
#5) It's frequently fun. Sometimes exciting. Occasionally demanding. Often rewarding. And, frequently FUN.
At a small campus like this, it is very easy to get involved. And, really, it's a win-win-win sort of thing.
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