Reporter Online | Author: Jess Kopitz

The Things I've Learned in Class

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 12:41:13 -0400

Observations from a student.

In order to be a teacher, you must own a tacky plaid shirt.
The more people there are in a class, the less inclined anyone is to talk.
Two hours is way too lengthy to listen to one person blather on about nothing.
Students' brains have an on and an off switch, but no one seems to know where to find it.
Cartwheels in hallways need to be made socially acceptable.
Watching people’s faces during class is more interesting than listening to the professor.
If a rhetorical question is asked in a classroom full of socially awkward and unaware students, an answer will be received and often not one that anyone was looking for.
If you ask too many questions, the entire class will silently judge you.
Socks with sandals have never been fashionable nor acceptable. Get over it.
The greater the number of attractive people in your class, the less likely you will learn.
Class introductions are unnecessarily nerve-racking. Everyone knows their name and major, but they still get all worked up right before their turn.
Beware if you use your laptop in class. Others can see what you are doing even if you sit in the back row.
Asking questions or making statements that no one understands does not mean you are intelligent.
There is nothing worse than answering a question in class and realizing you’re completely wrong midway through.
Answering with the same letter three times or more in a row while taking a multiple-choice test is terrifying.
No matter what time you have class you will be tired.
It is possible to read an entire chapter of a textbook and, by the end, have no idea what it said.

Roommate Issues

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 20:00:00 -0400

You'll be living with a complete stranger. Frightened?


Jamie Douglas

For many incoming freshmen, the most exciting and daunting experience in college is living in the dorms. On the one hand, you get more freedom than ever before: No more curfews or questions about where you’re going and when you’ll be back. On the other hand, you are now living with a stranger. This is the real world and, with it, come rewards and drawbacks.

Living with another person in the same room can be taxing no matter how well you get along with them. The truth of the matter is that living in the dorms gives you little to no privacy. A typical dorm room will resemble something like a closet and sharing it with another person may seem like being asked to never change your underwear again: uncomfortable and even unhealthy.

The Lawn Mower

Many people are frightened by the fact that they are going to be living with a complete stranger, and it’s a legitimate fear. Roommate issues can be rough, but they are not unmanageable. One common problem that many students encounter is that their roommate snores at night. It may not seem like a big deal now but, trust me, when it’s 3 a.m. the night before an 8 a.m. final, it will seem bigger than the damn Titanic. The obvious solutions are to try earplugs (they work better than you would think) or turn on some relaxing music to try and drown out the noise. If this doesn’t work, confront your roommate about the problem. There are several solutions, such as nose strips, to help reduce the problem to at least a dull roar. If worse comes to worst, you may want to ask a friend to crash on their floor for a night or two. Most people are very understanding of this particular problem.

Pig Pen

Another problem that many freshmen encounter is a messy or dirty roommate. Yet again, this may not sound like an issue now but even tolerant roommates lose their cool when that unfinished bowl of Easy Mac starts to mold. For all you neat freaks out there, you’re going to have to compromise. Odds are your random roommate is not going to be as neat as you are. And for those who don’t care that they haven’t seen their floor in two years because it’s covered in objects, be considerate of your roommate. Make the extra effort to pick your things up. Even if you’re not going to be best friends with your roommate, mutual respect can go a long way and will make things easier for everyone.

If things do get out of hand, talk to your roomie and ask them to clean up a bit. Most people will listen and be more considerate. If this doesn’t work, try bringing in a third party to get an outsider’s opinion of the situation, possibly a mutual friend or a Resident Advisor (RA). If they think that the room needs to be cleaned, then your roommate will probably be more inclined to tidy up. This issue doesn’t have to be a big deal if handled correctly. There is no need to draw a line through the middle of the room and pretend it’s a brick wall.

Sexiled

One issue that many people are reluctant to talk about is sex in the dorms. Whether or not you participate in this particular activity, it does occur. Sex is not illegal in dorm rooms, but it can create sticky situations if it isn’t handled properly. The most important thing to do here is be proactive. Don’t wait until you wake up to unpleasant noises coming from the bunk beside you. If you’re open about what you want or what your roommate wants, this can be a simple thing to get past. If you want to have someone over, tell your roommate in advance to see if he or she can stay with a friend for the night. Remember, if you comply when they ask you, you’re more likely to get them to return the favor later.

It’s a popular belief that simply leaving an article of clothing on the door handle is the universal code for “Please don’t come in right now,” but don’t make this assumption without clearing it first with your roommate. If the idea of your roommate having sex in your room is simply too much to handle, ask them if they could do it elsewhere and explain your discomfort. Although you may still have to compromise on this issue, a good set of ground rules is definitely the best way to go.

Thieves and Filchers

Last but not least is a more serious problem that, unfortunately, does occur: stealing. Anyone will tell you that, no matter how well you think you know your roommate, it is always best to keep valuables hidden or locked up just in case. But sometimes this isn’t enough and your roommate thinks the five-finger-discount applies to your belongings. If you suspect that this is happening, try confronting them first. Not only because you may be wrong and there is no need to falsely turn someone in for something they didn’t do, but this also points out to the roommate that you have noticed missing items and will not tolerate that from them.

If the problem persists, it’s time to get some authority involved. Your best choice is to go to your RA. They have the authority to question your roommate and get other authority figures involved. If you are not comfortable talking to your RA about it, Public Safety is just a phone call away (585-475-2853) and it is their job to protect you and your things. You can file a report with them for your missing things and also tell them that you may suspect your roommate of stealing. If it turns out that they are stealing from you, they will receive proper punishment and you will be allowed to move out into another room. Do not take matters into your own hands. It may seem like a good idea to steal back from them or give them a nice shiner, but that will only lump you in with them when it comes time to dish out the discipline.

Most importantly, don’t panic. It’s highly unlikely that all of these problems and others will happen to you. Yet you will undoubtedly run into one or two so, when the time comes, be prepared. Remember that your roommate is in the same boat as you; they are away from the comfort of home and may be just as uncomfortable as you are with their new living situation. Love them or hate them, you do have to live with them so be respectful. What goes around comes around, a phenomenon which doubles when you’re sharing a room that looks unfit for a dog.

For any kind of dispute resolution, visit RIT’s Ombuds Office in the SAU, rooms 1110 and 1114. More information can be found at http://rit.edu/ombuds

Find a New Line

Fri, 15 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Is that a mirror in your pocket?


Joanna Eberts

“Did it hurt? When you fell from heaven?” The answer is probably “No, it didn’t,” but it might hurt when you get slapped in the face and ditched to look like an idiot standing alone. Pickup lines have been around since the dawn of time, possibly beginning when a caveman grunted at a woman and then delivered a swift blow to her head so that he could drag her back to his cave. Although pickup lines have improved over time, most would agree that it’s not by much. There are occasions when an appropriate line will yield success, but there are a few groups of pickup lines that need to be banned, for everybody’s sake.

Unoriginal Lines

Probably the worst of them all are the completely unoriginal lines that everyone has heard at least 10 times. The question begging to be asked is: Have any of these lines ever worked? For instance, if a guy asks a girl for her number because he lost his, has she ever actually given it to him? In my experience, I would have to say no. It doesn’t work and most likely never will. The problem with these lines is that they make the person saying them look like every other d-bag that has previously used them.

If a person isn’t willing to put in the time and effort to come up with something original to say, the girl will assume that this line is just being thrown out to as many girls as possible in hopes that it will work on at least one of them. As unattractive as that is to a girl, what’s worse is the complete lack of brainpower these lines imply. They might be funny to some group and you might even get a laugh out of a girl; but, odds are, if you can’t think of anything better to say than, “Is that a mirror in your pocket?” you’re probably not going home with her.


Joanna Eberts

Arrogant Pickups

Equally as obnoxious as unoriginal lines are the pompous, self-centered ones. Although these are rare and take a special kind of prick to say them, they still exist. There are very few that could get away with it without a drink thrown on them. For example, “Do you believe in love at first sight, or should I walk by again?” Confidence may be sexy, but arrogance is not, so don’t cross that attitude with a line that makes you sound like God’s gift to women. You’re probably not.

For those who don’t already know, a good trick for getting a girl is to make her feel special and attractive. Making a pickup line all about yourself makes you look like you’re the only person who matters and no girl is going to be into that. Instead of telling a girl, “Here I am. What are your other two wishes?” perhaps try talking about her and what she would like. That way you don’t end up with just your hand for the night.

Don’t Be Rude

After the arrogant lines come the pickup lines that are excessively forward and just plain rude. Every girl can guess your below average IQ if you tell her that she has nice shoes then promptly ask her if she wants to have sex. I am hoping that most people use these types of lines to get a laugh and that they are not serious about them. A 5-year-old could figure out why these lines don’t work. What people don’t realize about telling a girl she might as well sleep with you because you’re the only one talking to her is that it’s offensive, presumptuous, and downright disgusting. Not all girls go to bars looking to get laid and they are not going to take kindly to the fact that someone assumed they are looking for sex. If you’re looking to get some by only saying one sentence, you’re going to have a lot more luck with a 800 number than with most girls at a party or bar.


Joanna Eberts

Trite Lines

Last, but not least, come the lines that don’t actually sound like pickup lines, but are trite and annoying. This group is all encompassing, ranging from lines like, “What’s your sign?” to “Do you come here often?” Honestly, who cares if a girl goes to a particular bar often? Either she does and you’ve never bothered to talk to her before or she doesn’t. Now, she most likely won’t come back because she’s been asked this question countless times. Many think these lines are tried and true because they are less forward. It’s almost like a trick to get a girl to talk to you.

In reality, no girl is tricked by this tactic; we know what you’re really after with these lines and can’t believe you couldn’t think of anything better to say to us. These lines make you sound like that douchebag extra from a low-budget romantic movie right before the leading man sweeps in to say something intelligent and steals the girl away. Not only are these lines cheesier than Gracie’s pizza, but they also show a total lack of interest in the girl. Turns out, girls know that you don’t actually care what major they are in, but rather are trying to find out what panties they are wearing.

A Graduate's Guide to the Recession

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 11:41:10 -0400

How to stick out an unpleasant ride.

It’s true: Now is probably the worst year to graduate and enter the job market since 1933. Unemployment rates are rising as the stock market is falling and college graduates are stuck in between, juggling their options. With an estimated 1.5 million-strong class of 2009 and hiring decrease of up to 22 percent for the first time in years, the outlook is grim and the competition is stiff for this unlucky class. But students can still remain optimistic about their prospects, as there are still options out there; they just need to choose wisely.

If the route chosen is to go directly into the job market, there are a few important things to remember. The first is that the economy is not going to bounce back right away so you need to be resilient. Things may not work out how you want them to but that doesn’t mean giving up. You may be underemployed or underpaid, but keep yourself positioned in the market and there is always room to work your way up. The need for college graduates may have subsided, but it has not diminished. As a graduate you are the most up-to-date with the latest stuff and are full of energy.

Be sure to make use of the resources you have at hand. Utilize the services at the career center to get started and be sure to attend the RIT Career Fair. This spring, about 170 employers took part in the event and they would not waste their time if there was no benefit to their companies. Get your foot in the door, even if it just means networking and making contacts in a variety of places.

In this market, you may need to broaden your horizons. Don’t close yourself off to opportunities just because a potential job is not in the city you had your heart set on. Also, don’t write off small businesses that you may not have heard of before. “Many of the traditional big name employers have been hardest hit by the economy, so graduates should be prepared to cast a wider net in their search for employment. The best opportunities may exist with companies they’ve never heard of before,” says Paul Stella, Director of Public Relations at RIT.

Try to stay on course while searching for a job; trying to wait out the recession appears to be lack of interest and potentially laziness in the eyes of employers. Keep in contact with places that claim there is a hiring freeze. These freezes can stop just as quickly as they began. If you stay on their minds during this time, it is much more likely that you will be contacted once the freeze is lifted.

If none of this works, there are still other options. Staring your own business is without a doubt the boldest choice, but it is not out of the question. Obviously you need a good idea and the money to back it up, but you also need to be willing to roll with the punches. In this changing economy, no one knows what’s coming next and you need to be able to adapt to that. One of the main reasons many graduates are scared to start their own company is not just the market but the pressure to go into a standard profession with your degree. This is usually seen as the safer route but, in the world today, "safe" professions like banking are no longer reliable. Now may be as good a time as any to start your own business. The experience you will receive doing so is more valuable than almost any other career path in the overall scheme of things. So, if you think you’re ready, don’t let the economy hold you back.

If the job market just doesn’t seem like the right choice for you right now, there is always the option of going to grad school. This may be the right time to pursue a higher education, but only if it’s for the right reasons. It is expensive and may not help you in the long run if you are just looking to prolong your job search. Masters and Ph.D.s are highly regarded in scientific areas and there is always the opportunity to receive extra funding for them. But degrees in areas like the arts or social sciences do not hold as much sway with employers. This does not mean they are useless and should not be looked into — just make sure your investment is worthwhile. Position yourself while in grad school so that, once you earn your degree, you are in a good position to take full advantage of your earning potential.

Remember that with any job you receive, experience can help you down the road in future careers. Stay optimistic. Just because the economy is down now does not mean it will stay that way. It fluctuates constantly and the job market will improve eventually. Recessions are common occurrences and with the right tactics you will outlast it. If not, I’ve heard they are hiring at McDonalds.