Stressed Out

                 

                     It’s that time of year when it’s the holiday season, but college students you know you have final projects and papers right around the corner. There are definite ways around stress to help keep your sanity and make the most of your time.

According to the Journal of Adolescent Health only 30 percent of students get the recommended eight hours of sleep a night, these figures are from 2009, and were not taken during finals. College students can agree that figures are not needed to prove that this percentile will go down in the upcoming weeks. This is a major problem. Students “forgo sleep during periods of stress, not realizing that they are sabotaging their physical and mental health" said Roxanne Prichard, an assistant professor of psychology at the University of St. Thomas, where the study took place.

I asked a few students what they thought and one student, Alex Casey, described “My goal is 8 hours at least, and I have to always force myself to. Instead of watching that next show or playing another game I try to go to bed.”

Now students must not only sleep right but also eat right in the days leading up to the end of the semester. Fruits and Vegetables are a necessity for their vitamins and minerals that prove truly useful. The current recommended intake of fruits and vegetables are five to thirteen servings a day, or 2½ to 6½ cups. For example, a banana equals a cup, an apple equals a cup, twelve baby carrots equal a cup and a corn on the cob equals a cup.

                       

I asked college students what their intake on vegetables and fruit were, and the replies were not surprising. Adam Laird, a CSUMB sophomore, replied “I have maybe some juice in a day and vegetables if I am getting Chinese.” Another CSUMB sophomore, Lerin Donner, told me “I definitely get enough fruits in but I know I could use some more vegetables.”

                       

Now what exactly do fruits and vegetables help with; well for example the B-vitamins help with memory. Such fruits and vegetables containing these vitamins include: broccoli, potatoes, avocado, and pomegranates. Eating healthy will help make your body work to its potential; however, one must also choose the right study habits.

                       

It is easy to say that students cram, just how much though? In S.H. McIntyre’s article, Exploring cramming: Student behaviors, beliefs, and learning retention in the Principles of Marketing course, 25-50 percent of students cram. I asked a junior, Mike Shaffer, what he thought of cramming and his reply was, “I see it work for some people, but for me last minute studying never helps. I usually will forget a majority halfway through the test.”

                        In a study performed by Doug Rohrer, last minute cramming proved to be less affective than study time broken up. The study even came to the conclusion that later retention is less likely when cramming so break up studying by relaxing every twenty to forty-five minutes of studying.

                       

Now this part is easy for most of the college crowd, relax. Studying and working inside only for days is not only unhealthy but counter productive. Dr. Chris Cortellessa, a respected doctor in student health, states “fifteen minute breaks are proven useful while studying.”

                       

Now it is morning where you have a free day to study, it is proven that exercising increases the brains’ aptitude. Georg Kuhn, a professor at the Center for Brain Repair and Rehabilitation at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, describes “taken together with other studies, we can assume that better cardiovascular fitness may optimize cognitive performance and academic achievements.” His study followed Swedish twins between 1950 and the 1970’s. It tracked between the twins how environmental effects affected the twins and he described, “On an average, the fitter twin was also the twin that scored higher in the IQ tests.”

                       

There is one last tool that impartment is necessary and that is cutting distractions during work. I asked a few students what their homework atmosphere is   like. Jake Reuter, a sophomore, describes, “When I work, I have music on and the TV but just on low cause it’d be distracting.”

                       

There are case studies on learning and volume, one of which is Christie and Glickman in 1980, where they tested safe environment levels for learning. Their results concluded 70 decibels was a loud environment and 40 decibels is a quiet room. When looking at these facts even an Ipod at the OSHA (Occupational Safety &Health Adminastration) guidelines of 85 decibels would be too loud.

                       

The tools fore- mentioned will prove useful for any college student or student in general in the last weeks of the semester. And to the teachers reading, try to use some of these tools when grading, I am sure they’ll help.

Get Your Paranormal On

             Todd Williams brings the suspense and scare once again in Paranormal Activity 2. Paranormal Activity is the sequel to the 2007 horror film Paranormal Activity. The film stars Sprague Grayden and Brian Boland, relatively unknown actors. Todd Williams creates a prequel that is as entertaining as the first.

            Here is the part where viewers who have not seen the film might want to skip to the next paragraph because there is about to be a plot spoiler. Williams concept of showing Kristi Reys and her sister Katie, from the first film, was an interesting style of prequel. The audience reaction to the demons haunting and realizing that Kristi’s husband transfers the demon to her sister can gradually be seen on the looks of the audience as well as various whispers like “Oh that’s how Katie [Kristi’s sister] became possessed.”

Williams is able to make a prequel that reflects its predecessor by keeping its character interaction similar as well as its central theme of scare and no gore. Throughout the film the moments of the largest screams and what not were in which there was no one on screen. There is a sequence within the first quarter of the film in which afer the Reys install cameras there is a shot for about one minute of a pantry door slowly opening. It is during this sequence that music plays deep, omniscient tones that makes one hand, or even two, go towards those eyes of yours because you can feel something coming, but then the tones stop… nothing...Slam! there goes the pantry door and you realize what you have just gotten yourself into. The director slowly introduces the audience into his concept of scary.

Williams brings back scaring an audience without the need of over produced blood and effects make-up. Analyzing the mise-en-scene draws you to the characters and the locations and how they depict a very plain suburbia. The makeup show on the films depicts little to none.

Other horror films released this year such as Piranha 3-D and Saw 3-D  which use cutting edge  3-D, extreme effects/make-up and sex appeal represent exactly what this film isn’t. It lacks new technology by using steady cams and handy cams, it uses close to no make-up on actors and lastly it does not try to create sex appeal throughout screen time. It is these conscious properties that lead to Williams success in all aspects of the film.. If you are trying to get scared without the gore and teenage angst then Paranormal Activity 2 is the movie for you.

Knott’s Downs and Disneyland’s Ups

Thinking of perhaps where to go on your next vacation, well theme parks more times tan not will provide you with a destination that is quite fun and fulfilling. Many people in southern California choose between Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm, however, realistically the decision should be made fairly easy. However, first one must see the meat and bones of the theme park to determine for themselves, but this will be made easy for you wit the presentation of reason of why Disneyland is an all around better park than Knott’s Berry Farm.

            Knott’s Berry Farm was first a farm and chicken diner. However, Knott’s did some interesting things prior to their park years like feeding people during the depression and created their own berry, the boysenberry. “All boysenberries in the world can trace their origins back to Knott’s Berry Farm,” describes the company. With all this history Knott’s Berry Farm and a great foundation to become into it’s own element, which now is comprised of six themed areas as well as now a water park next door. These themed areas include: Ghost Town, Indian Trails, Marketplace, Boardwalk, Fiesta Village, and Camp Snoopy. There are nine coasters, eight thrill rides, and 5 shows.

Now with all these attractions one might first think now this is a great park, however, when dealing with the employees and service there are definite problems. When calling to write this, Knott’s refused to give me any statistics on park guests on a quarterly or yearly figure. The so-called “themed areas,” are somewhat lazily done. When considering a theme for a sector of a theme park, a area that has a couple of shops. What Knott’s does have that must be given credit is Camp Snoopy. Charlie Brown is an American Classic and this makes it Knott’s have one of America’s classics.

            Knott’s is a definite park of destination but when choosing, Disneyland is the prime destination. Being ranked second on Yahoo’s top ten visited parks with a number of 14,721,000. It contains 8 lands including: Fronteirland, Toon Town, Tomorrow Land, Critter Country, New Orleans Square, Fantasy Land, Main Street USA, Fantasy Land and Aventrueland. Now Disneyland is not one to have only ride themed areas. Main Street USA is similar to Knott’s Marketplace yet it has old vehicles you can ride in, a story featuring Abe Lincoln, all sorts of shops, and some first cartoons featuring non other than Mickey.

Now that Mickey has been addressed a short history of both him and Disneyland should be presented. Mickey was founded in 1928 with the Steam Boat Willie cartoon, which still plays on Main Street; thirty years later Disneyland opened its gates to the world. It now has another park located across the street, California Adventures. And Disneyland itself has 58 rides and attractions. This number is much more grand than Knott’s 22 rides and attractions. Although Disneyland Park price is $76 compared to Knott’s $55 ticket, 26 more rides and attractions is worth the $20 difference. When spending already a large amount for a theme park, one wants to be fulfilled for a full day, and not get bored in a few hours.

Other than having more coasters and attractions, Disneyland has a much more consistent theme through out the entire park, with more specialized workers in each themed land. Besides this, it is Disneyland. Everything that incorporates Disney is present from characters, to shows, to the big smile you get everywhere in the park.

Overall Disneyland Park is a greater experience due to their number of rides, attractions, carryout of themed areas, to the helpfulness of the staff. Although Knott’s is a good park, when deciding between the two, Disneyland is the better decision.

Understand Our Community Director

Understanding Our Community Director

Upon entering Avocet Hall, there are about 8 students, 2 Residential Advisors and Alex Froehlich. Alex Froehlich is the North Quad Campus Director. She is a graduate of the University of Pacific. It is her job as Community Director; to maintain a safe environment as well as make sure students are obeying the housing standards. Her job is not to solely punish and uphold standards but to also meet with Residential Advisors and students and think of events that will make a wide group of students will like. This job of being Campus Director holds much responsibility, as well as, much stress this become more evident as the night continued. However, one must truly know her background to establish a full view.

Alex Froehlich graduated from the University of the Pacific. She is in her late twenties. Her hobbies include going to the beach, when it is sunny, eating out and catching a good comedy. When speaking to Alex about her job, she seemed stressed and even slightly sad that her time during the pleasant weather days are spent in a closed office reporting conduct, having meetings, and taking care of daily problems that occur within the campus living in North Quad. However, it is certain nights, when events occur, that she feels students are able to see the positive side of what she does, rather than just disciplinary issues.

Eight to nine on Monday the 18^th inside of 303, Vineyard suites, Alex and a few of the Residential advisors to put on a Origami Night. An invitation sent over email, “It seems that email is the best way to reach everyone,” describes Alex.

Entering into Vineyard suites there are some decorations premade for the event, which consisted mostly of cranes and origami boxes. Alex was sitting at a table with a notebook and some origami paper, which showed that she came straight from working to the event. There were kids passing in and out and as some would stay one could tell that she was pleased. It kept a consistency of eight to fifteen students working at a time. While present at the Origami night though, Alex’s attention was not drawn to making paper creations but several interruptions. Alex leaves the main lobby to speak on the phone, then returns slightly flustered as well as looking less happy with things. There are still students and Residential advisors working, however, one advisor asks Alex to leave early for homework in which Alex approves of her departure. She described how the number of people present was containable by herself as well as another RA. This statement was presented in not an angry tone, but slight disappointed one it seemed because of the attendance. It is understandable as a viewer to see why Alex could be disappointed in getting a whole bunch of materials and Residential Advisors to come out to an event and there is not a strong turn out. It comes close for the ending time of the event, yet Alex receives another call and must step out of the room. One can see that being Community Director is a difficult job. Then a murmur between Residential Advisors occurred while Alex was out of the room describing how she seems stressed and busier since Juan, the other Community director for North Quad, left. Alex returns to the room and asks if the Residential Advisors are able to end the event for her because she is needed.

By the end of the event the number of the crowd dwindles to five. I caught up with Alex later to see how the rest of her night went. When talking to her, it was noticeable that it was not her disappointment in the turnout of the event, but rater the course of events that occurred throughout that night. Alex described how even when things should go easy and be smooth, there is always something that throws a wrench into plans. When trying to bring up her new duties, after replacing Juan, she seemed unwilling to discuss this. Perhaps it could be too soon to talk about it, but she made it seem mostly out of respect not to discuss Juan. She did describe, however, that her workload doubled, and she does not have much help with the addition of her new tasks.

Alex is an interesting woman, whom plays a major role on the campus. Throughout following her one cannot help but see how much work she puts in and how little it goes noticed. With taking on more work and trying to still know her residents, Alex subjects her self to a stressful environment yet she describes, “ I wouldn’t trade it.”

CSUMB Major Fair

CSUMB showcases its majors at its annual Major fair on 27 of September in the University Ball Room. The First Year Seminar, the Undergraduate Advising Center, Career Development, and the Student Housing and Residential Life put on this event for students interested in different majors who could be undecided on one. The attendance consisted of under classmen with a few upper classmen present.

The attendance ranged throughout the event with an average number of 50 students. There was a slightly more female ratio. It was a sunny day, which might have helped attendance. The event lasted two hours. Upon entering the room one notices a chocolate fountain at the center of the ballroom and tables set up around the room. There are a majority of students dipping various items in the fountain with some visiting the different majors at tables.

An AS member and RA, Tuba Abassi described how, “I think it is a great idea for students to come out and see the different majors, but it seems that most students are interested in the chocolate fountain.” One sophomore, Phil Barbon, described how it could be improved by taking away the snacks because “It is difficult to talk to someone when there is so much noise occurring because of them.”

Although some criticize the integrity of the visitors, one sophomore, Johnny Ulloa, describes how he is “glad that is able to look at the different majors available to him.” He also described how, “Although I am not a freshman it still helps me being able to attend this.”  It is clear that not only freshman were able to enjoy this. All the 18 majors were not the only ones present; career opportunities, clubs, internships, and the student abroad program also came out.

Upon coming to the TAT table Steve Levinson, a TAT/FYS professor, described how it is difficult to recruit new students to the TAT major. He described how “students think that with a TAT degree getting a job is difficult, but its quite the opposite. We have a consistent number of students moving on to getting jobs quite quickly.”

Comparing FOX and CNN

Upon reading about Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Facebook, donating $100 million dollars to Newark Schools, I thought comparing CNN and Fox's presentation of this story would be interesting. 

The first difference between the two articles was the difference in presenting the heading. Fox News chose to describe how the Newark Schools are "one of the worst in the county." CNN chose to be less emotionally driven and describe "improving  the  troubled district." This first example presents that FOX went for a more emotional driven heading rather than being subjective.

The following paragraph diverges the two stories presentation of the news completely. Fox chose to describe about the Newark school system and how "only about half their students graduate. Of those who do, only one-fifth go onto college." CNN described how this is Mark's "largest known charitable donation." This difference points out how perhaps CNN is choosing to describe more about Mark rather than Newark, whereas, Fox is describing the Newark system.

In the next few paragraphs the decision on the topic of stories is presented. Fox is presenting Mark is a positive light describing how Mark "has had a long standing interest education." CNN analyzes Mark's donation calling into question the new movie about Facebook upcoming release and how "critics accuse him of making the donation as an image booster" due to the fact that the movie does not portray him in a "positive light.”

Another major difference is how the two stories end. Fox chooses to describe how “the announcement of the gift is planned for Friday on the Oprah Winfrey Show.” Choosing to use this as the ending is interesting in that it provokes the reader to watch the show. CNN also describes how he will “announce the donation the Oprah Winfrey Show,” however, they end the story describing how “No details have been released at this time about how the money is to be distributed or used.”

There are definite differences between these two news agencies presentation of the news. One main difference is Fox’s more emotionally driven sentence structure and choice of verbs and adjectives. CNN on the other hand delves more into the thought behind this donation but keeping it neutral by presenting both positive and negative views. CNN also ends the article describing how the donated money lacks a plan of distribution, whereas, Fox describes how the donation will be announced on the Oprah Winfrey Show, which in a sense is a pitch for a show.

It is interesting to read different news sources and see how their reporters report on a story. Some agencies add more zest and interest, whereas, other agencies delve into the 5 W’s and deeper than just the surface of the story so that readers receive a total view of the story.

New Otter Bay Restaurant Setup Brings Mixed Reviews

CSUMB’s Otter Bay Restaurant has implemented some changes and with these recent changes there are mixed reviews.  The menu contains a wide variety of new items and I knew I had to give them a try. Upon entering the OBR I noticed a new menu and style of ordering. I was greeted with a smile at the cashier and was asked for my order. The new ordering system is formatted so that the patron places their order in and pays prior to sitting.  Mia Haddash, a CSUMB Sophmore, had some choice words though on the topic; she describes how “I do not like tipping prior to the end of my meal because my waiter spilt water on the table and food and I already tipped him.” However, there are also some positive outlooks on the new style. Alex Casey, a CSUMB sophomore, describes how he “likes the café style.” Upon hearing these two different views I investigated further to see how the workers felt about the new system. Kristine Brown, a Sodexo Employee, describes how “the new ordering system has made it easier as waitress to only worry about giving the customer their food.” However, as a customer like Mia, the new ordering system makes the patron give a blind tip not based on service but what they are feeling at that point in time. Now moving onto the new menu and choices; I was fortunate enough to try the Torta, the Fish and Chips, and the Deep Fried Cheesecake. The prior mentioned items were well priced and delicious.  Dan Bramlage, a patron, described his Caribbean Quesadilla as a “delicious blend of flavors that are all unique that help to compliment one another.” The OBR’s new menu also has a new feature, a price drop. The price drop makes eating at the OBR a more frequent thing for some as Kristine Brown says; “There are a lot more regulars than last year which makes it fun getting to know people.” These regulars show that the new OBR has a positive reaction from students. Ryan Mack, a Student Advising Assistant, describes “I am able to enjoy a great meal now during my lunch break instead of having to bring a sack lunch or go to the Otter Express. The new menu and style of ordering makes getting food at the OBR faster cheaper and not at quality lost, in fact I’d say their new menu is a great improvement.” The new OBR has brought mixed reviews, however, one thing that all the interviewees can agree on is that one bite will not be enough.

A New Nintendo Gadget

 Upon thinking of what to write about I realized that reporting on the new 3DS is quite an interesting topic. As of June 2010 the DS, the 3DS predecessor, sold 132.04 units so one can only imagine how the reception on the 3DS will be. The article I read definitely lends itself to the 15 to 35 year old hand held gamer. It was written with a slight biased view in a sense that he believes it will be monumental in the development of video games. The unveiling of the 3DS at E3, considered the largest video game convention, made the entire audience silent, although the writer might have been exaggerating, he approaches his story with sincerity. The reader can truly see the writers intent audience through his choice of words and how he uses language that lends itself to a more video game prone audience. Overall the writer does a good job wit his report, however, the only problem I find is that because it is from a video game news source, it does talk highly of the product and does not look at future flaws of the system.



Nintendo 3DS Review

1st 3DS Trailer