Ok good, now that’s out of my system.   After reading the “Twilight” series, I really felt that I knew Edward.  I mean the books, for the most past, are told from Bella’s viewpoint, but I still felt like I had a lot of insight into who Edward was as a person (ok technically a vampire). I hadn’t planned on finding anything really new or surprising about Edward.

But after doing some research I came upon “Midnight Sun.”  For those of you who aren’t as crazy about Twilight as I am, let me explain.  “Midnight Sun” is a re-telling of Twilight or the Twilight story, from Edward’s perspective.  Now I know what you might be thinking, a re-telling of the same story, really?  Stephanie Meyers is really milking this Twilight thing isn’t she?  And to be honest, I thought that too, but then I read it.

Ok so technically, the book hasn’t been released, and what I was reading was a pre-released version of Meyers book, which she did not authorize.  But I just couldn’t help myself.  This would give me SO much unknown information into Edward’s character.  So I gave into peer pressure (mostly of my own doing), and I read it. 

Wow.   That was my first reaction.  I seriously hope that Meyers finishes this book because it is amazing.  I already love it, and it’s not even done.  So if you haven’t read the online version yet, don’t spoil it for yourselves!  Trust me, don’t read it, not yet.   Until then, here is what I found out about Edward after reading “Midnight Sun.”

1.     Edward really loves Bella.  This might not seem surprising to anyone.  Of course Edward loves Bella, if he didn’t, well there wouldn’t be much of a story.   His love for her isn’t what surprised me.  It was the intensity and pureness of his love for her that shocked me.  From the moment that Edward “smelled” Bella she became his world.   At first it was an obsession to kill her, but then it became more.  His obsession with her (not in a sinister way) became deeper.  Edward began to actually feel for her, and it broke his heart that he was not human.  It hurt him because he thought that loving her was the absolute worse thing he could do to her - but in reality, it was that love that made Edward, in a sense, human again.

2.     Edward honestly tried to leave Bella.  Now again, I know that you know that Edward did in fact leave Bella in “New Moon.”  So again, this little fact might not seem so surprising or relevant.  But I’m not talking about Edward’s failed attempt at leaving Bella, for her own good, in the second book.  No, I’m talking about a time long before that, before Edward could fully comprehend his feelings for Bella, or for that matter, her feelings for him.  Once Edward realized how much he craved Bella’s scent - he left.  Edward went away for a few days, but he couldn’t get the image of Bella from his mind.  She consumed his thoughts.  So he came back, ready to resist Bella and her scent.  But then his thoughts turned protective.  This girl who was nothing more than food for him became so much more.  Edward realized that in falling in love with her, he put Bella in so much danger.  He was prepared to leave.  Edward was prepared to sacrifice his happiness in order to protect Bella.  His family talked him out of it - especially Alice.  She explained that Bella would either become one of them (a vampire) or die.  Edward realized there was nothing he could do, so he stayed.  And although he always felt guilty, he was so happy.

3.     Edward is the odd one in his family.   Now don’t get me wrong, Edward’s family loves him, and they all respect him, but he’s the seventh wheel.  Carlisle has Esme, Rosalie has Emmett, and Alice has Jasper, which leaves Edward alone.  He has become accustomed to his lonely life, but then he finds love in the most unlikely source.  This creates a divide between him and a few of his family members: Jasper, Rosalie, and Emmett (because he is always on Rosalie’s side).  But Esme and Alice are thrilled.  They have faith that something good can come out of it, and I think that without Esme and Alice’s support, Edward would have left, and there would have been no love story.

4.     Edward is self-sacrificing.  You can see this throughout the books.  Whatever it takes to make Bella happy: being friends with Jacob, becoming a vampire, even having a baby,  Edward will do it, no matter how much it hurts him because it’s what’s best for her.  Edward is the same way when he finally realizes what he is feeling.  He knows that it is wrong to love Bella.  He also knows that by staying he is putting her in danger.  So he tries to convince her, despite his own happiness, that she is better off without him.  But it doesn’t work.  There is a force, a connection, maybe even destiny, that keeps them together.  Bella believes that ultimately Edward is a good person (so to speak).  She has faith in him, and she has faith in her love for him.   Bella’s desire to love him, regardless, gives Edward hope.  And hope is something Edward hasn’t had in a long time.

5.     Edward was shocked to learn that Bella loved him.  Although the thought of being without her kill him, he knew that it would be best for her if she never loved him.  Edward inwardly struggled with what was right and what was wrong.  He thought that it was wrong to be with Bella, but it felt wrong to be without her.  But Bella is a lot stronger than Edward thought, and she wouldn’t give him up.  Edward was truly surprised to find out that not only did Bella love him, but also that Bella thought that she loved him more than Edward loved her.  He found this fact laughable, and he compared her love to a tree, while his love for her is an entire forest.

Critics of the books say that Edward is sinister, controlling, and demeaning towards Bella.  They argue that Edward is over protective to the point of possessive.  They also say that Edward and Bella’s relationship is emotionally abusive.  But after reading Edward’s side of the story, I think they are wrong.  Edward is possessive and over protective because Bella is human.  Edward never realized how fragile human life is, until he falls in love with a human, and honestly, he was beside him self with worry for her.  What surprises me most about Edward and Bella’s relationship is how much they question each other’s love.  I don’t know whether it is they both feel so deeply for the other person that they can’t comprehend reciprocation, or if they are so insecure with themselves that they believe no one could love them that much. 

What do you think about Edward and Bella’s relationship? Do you think it is sinister or sweet?  Why do you think they doubt each other’s love?

Photos courtesy of Google Images

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Q: What come’s before Part B?

A: Part A, of course.

Out of all the questions asked during one’s college experience, it seems as if, according to the majority of students, partying is the answer to most of them. But perhaps it is not always the correct answer.

Yes, going out, meeting new people, building friendships and having a great time is an integral part of the time spent in a college setting, yet many people (myself included, and I am not in the minority by any means necessary) forget that there is also an even larger reason for going to college - learning.

I know, hard to believe, but I’m here to drop some truth-bombs.

A wise man (or was it a fortune cookie…I can’t remember) once said “Everything in moderation” (I think it also said Lucky Numbers 2, 14, 27, 34). Although it wasn’t technically a fortune, it was good advice nonetheless.

One of the greatest lessons to be learned during college is the discovery of boundaries and limitations. It is the first time, for most of the college population, to have complete autonomy from their parents and home life. Due to this new-found freedom, many people bring it upon themselves to do every single thing they weren’t allowed to do at home (I myself do partake in the occasional drink from the orange juice carton, and, I’ll be honest, it feels great). But sometimes, people take it to another level in which their volatile actions hinder any form of self-growth during their time in college.

Now, mind you, I am not telling you that you shouldn’t try new things that are going to mold you as a person. But what I AM telling you is students must learn to put limitations on themselves when an activity is something that may put a damper on their growth and learning (about themselves as well as the ever-changing world around them) during this monumental time in one’s life.

Stay out until 4 o’clock in the morning, but it’s not gonna be helping your grades in any way, shape, or form. Your GPA is gonna plummet like a monster machine, and you are going to have some major regrets about the night before.

The truth is, you shouldn’t HAVE any regrets during your college experience. It is something that can be completely avoided if you moderate yourself, and the activities you partake in.

Don’t get me wrong–I have slipped up too. There are times during the school year when a group of friends and myself will order a dozen pies of pizza (well, maybe not that much, but after eating an obscene amount of pizza, it certainly feels like a dozen), bring out the ol’ Nintendo 64, and play Super Smash Bros. until the wee hours of the morning. On these nights, I sit there, stomach filled to its maximum capacity, hands greasy, blisters forming on my fingers, and I declare aloud ‘Whyyy? Why would you put yourself through so much pain and anguish?’ (After which my compatriots yell at me to be quiet so they can pass out without being disturbed)

Yes, I always have a great time in the end, but to be honest, it completely destroys my week. I can never bounce back, and I find myself yearning for the following weekend to finally arrive so I can recuperate. This is not the way you want to approach your working week.

Everyone deserves a break from the grueling classes and amount of work, but again, it should all be taken in moderation.

Here are but a few things to keep in mind when you are feeling the need to escape the ever-present pressures during college:

Rule #1: Do All Your Work Beforehand - Yes, I’m sorry that I sound like one of your parents. But you know what? I’m only here to help you so heed my advice. You should always schedule your leisure time around your work, not the other way around. It is never smart to go out with your friends and just cross your fingers, hoping that you’ll have enough time to do your work later. You’ll end up handing in essays late, and losing valuable points that count towards your grade.

Rule #2: Don’t Go Out Every Night - I know, I sound like a total party-pooper, but believe me, this is not only for the reason you are thinking of. Yes, one of the reasons to not go out every night of the week is to make sure you are awake and rearing to go the next morning, but this is also beneficial to your social life as well. If you go out every night doing the same thing, after a while it is going to become boring and repetitive, and so not only are you destroying your grades, but you are also destroying the things you find fun and new in your college life.

Rule #3: A Bar Isn’t The Answer To Your Work Pressures - Firstly, I always am a strong advocate for safe (and legal) fun. But once you are of legal drinking age, going out and partying at your local bar isn’t the best way to deal with the overabundance of work on your shoulders. There are always alternative methods that are both constructive and beneficial to both your mind and body. You should do research on your college’s extra-curricular activities and see if anything sparks your interest and fits around your class schedule. Whether it be a yoga, art or bungee-jumping class, there are so many outlets to the stress accumulated during your time in school, and you should take advantage of them (with his/her consent, of course).

Rule #4: Have Your Leisure Time Work Around Your Own Schedule And Not Your Friend’s Schedules - A mouthful, but true nonetheless. There are going to be plenty of times during your time in college when your friends are going to be free, but you’ve got two essays and a quiz due the next day. NEVER, under an circumstances, drop what you are doing and go out with your friends just because THEY have free time. When you have the time to hang out, there will always be something to do with your friends. Never shirk your duties as a student, and  always make sure that your leisure time fits your personal preferences.

Now, I know you may hate me, but I certainly hope you can take something out of my advice. Nobody likes rules or boundaries, but sometimes you need to create some for yourself for forward progress in life and school. You should always have a fun time in college, but in moderation.

As the band Kiss once said: “I wanna rock n’ roll all night and party every day…that is, unless I haven’t done all my work. So first I need to do all my work and then maybe I can party every day or at least every other day” (This was before the song was edited due to it’s length and not as catchy lyrics, but believe me, it’s legit).

Photos courtesy of Google Images

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Skinny guys, rejoice–on second thought, lament. For your savior, your champion, the patron saint of skinny guys everywhere, is gone. Yeah, that’s right: Micheal Jackson was not only a global music phenomenon, but he also managed to be royally cool and super skinny at the same time. Even throughout the 80’s fitness craze, which popularized built bods like Ah-nold’s, Jackson stuck by his stick-thin body, because it’s apparently not o.k. for guys to be skinny (unlike girls). Tell that to MJ, though–he never bulked up like most male celebrities. Like a lot of dancers, Jackson’s body was all sleek lines and elegant angles. Just check him out in the Thriller video: according to Deborah Landis, the very costume designer who dyed MJ’s iconic red jeans, Jackson only weighed 99 pounds at the time of the shoot.

But as Jackson grooves down dark allies with his un-dead back-up dancers, nobody’s thinking ‘wimp!’ In fact, it’s hard to think much about anything when watching Jackson’s old videos. Your mind is overwhelmed with awe; he’s that captivating.

Guys, you have my permission to skip down to the next paragraph. You already understand the ideal male body type (you’ve probably had it hammered into you since your very first Power Rangers action figure), and what happens to those poor souls who don’t have it. But I have to take a few lines to explain things to the ladies, who’re probably a little bit mystified. Yes, we know that men idealize muscles the way we worship supermodels, but most girls don’t realize how anxious guys can get if they perceive themselves to be… lacking. Eating and self-esteem disorders (anorexia, bulimia, dysmorphia) remain higher among women, but that doesn’t stop guys from obsessing over their imperfections. One of my best buddies, male, was elated at my news that yes, women do like skinny guys, and no, body mass (or lack thereof) does not disqualify you from the mating pool. My bud–we’ll call him Cameron–was under the silly impression that girls,“weren’t into the whole skinny dude thing” (ironically enough, he confessed this at an indie rock concert overflowing with skinny guys in even skinnier jeans. Hawt!). And Cameron is not some delusional social outcast who’s never had a girlfriend–in fact, he’s the first guy you notice when you walk into a room. People pay attention to him primarily because of Cameron’s unending stream of jokes and smiles… but also because he has the same gaunt good looks as Robert Pattinson. No joke: Cameron has the heartthrob’s deep set eyes and hollowed cheeks, yet he’s held back by his ‘inferior’ bod. He’s not the only one, either. Loads of perfectly cute guys (and even some who I’d catagorize as hot) keep to themselves when in contact with the fairer sex–they don’t realize that women hold them to different standards than men do.

But beauty is ever in the eye of the beholder. One chick’s treasure is another chick’s trash: some women don’t do skinny guys, or muscled guys, or fat guys, or guys with tatts or tans or green eyes or bad rides (I hate guys in Hummers. Gas guzzlers in general are a huge turnoff). And guys are just as guilty: if the chick doesn’t meet his physical prerequisites, he’s not gonna go there. That doesn’t mean men won’t be interested in any girl who isn’t slim, busty, bootilicious and blonde. It’s just that men, like women, have personal preferences when it comes to people. These are certainly not limited to the superficial: how else do you explain the popularity of personality quizzes on dating websites? Some girls like bad boys, and others go for nice guys; some men seem chronically attracted to gold diggers while others always date sweethearts. Some women will only see athletic pretty boys with chiseled six packs, but most wouldn’t say no to a cute thin thing.

Yet, so many young men today feel ashamed of their slim physiques. I can’t help guys with other inferiority complexes, but let it be known to all the slim, sexy men in my audience: there’s nothing ugly or unpleasant about males without muscles. And there’s certainly no reason to repress your inner awesomeness just because you think girls (or maybe you have a very specific girl in mind) won’t like what they see. Just ask MJ: the King of Pop never let slimness slow him down. Girls, what do you think of guys and all their incarnations? Lemme know in the comments!

Photos courtesy of hotlineoncall.nationaljournal.com, credici.wordpress.com and popularbiographies.wordpress.com.

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What are risky businesses? These are the activities and actions that put us on the edge of what we call comfortable, and that challenge us to stretch our limits.

Life takes many forms, and inadvertently we take risks without realizing it. We avoid, to a certain degree, the risks that we do know about in order to minimize the humiliation that could potentially occur. By immersing ourselves in any risky business, not only do we grow, but we also find new things to do and try.

Moving on from Ultimate Frisbee, we have yet another sport that is fun and easy to pick up, but that takes a lot of practice to master. Combining both tennis and baseball, it can easily become a highly competitive game. From helping to settle roommate disputes or to help alleviate boredom, racquetball will be one of those go-to games when everything else has been done already.

History

Initially called paddle racquets, the inventor of racquetball was Joseph G. Sobek. Sobek was working in a rubber manufacturing plan in Bridgeport, Connecticut when he began to develop the game. Sobek wanted to make handball less hard on the hands, and also noticed the lack of indoor sports. His background as a tennis pro, squash, and handball player made him just the man to do so. Eventually, paddle racquets, grew and its name changed into raquetball from San Diego tennis pro Bob McInerney, who is credited with coining the name.

If you have never played Raquetball at all, this sport is relatively easy enough to pick up. Either grab someone who already knows how to play and ask them to help you, or follow these quick tips to help get started.

Keep Your Eyes on the Ball: As fast paced as this game is, you need quick reflexes as well as good hand-eye coordination because the ball will inevitably be hitting all sides of the walls. Since every surface is used in play, you need to be on your toes. Keeping an eye on the ball will help prepare you for the next move and hopefully will get your opponent in a position where you are at an advantage.

Keep Moving!: Being in an enclosed space will usually warrant a cautious attitude, especially if you have never played before. Once played, the racquetball can be hit really hard, and the accompanying noise will turn any confident first time player into an anxious individual. By moving around, you avoid not only getting hit by the racquetball, but also avoid getting in the way of your opponent, which adds another dimension to the game.

Full Swings Are Discouraged: This tip easily applies to people who have experience with baseball and tennis, because the skills learned in either sport don’t easily translate to the racquetball arena. Personally speaking, one who has experience in tennis should not full swing because that could result in hitting your opponent. Similarly, if you have a baseball background, it is not advised to hit the racquetball like a baseball because chances are that you will miss, and may hit the person behind you with a lot of force. There is a reason why racquetball rackets are short, and when playing with four people this rule becomes more evident.

The Back Wall is Your Friend: As you can see, this sport has a lot of depth, and once you learn the basics, a whole new set of possibilities in playing open up. Take for example the back wall. Since every area counts, even the back wall can be used to a players advantage. When you are unsure whether you can hit a shot forward, aim for the back one! With enough strength, the racquetball will bounce from the back end all the way to the front, and, if used effectively, may surprise your opponent. Use this sparingly, because a dependency on a shot like this can injure you if improperly executed.

For more detailed information regarding racquetball follow this link:

Racquetball Depot

Photos courtesy of ( Salt Lake Community College and Valparaiso University)

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Everyone likes to make a good first impression. Your cover letter is the first impression employers get of you. It’s the first thing employers look at when you apply for a job, and if they don’t like the impression you give, they won’t even look at your resume. So, how can you make a a good impression and hopefully land an interview? I will tell you some of the do’s and don’ts of cover letter writing.

First, I must be honest and say that cover letters are the thing that I dread most when applying for jobs. It can be awkward to write a letter to someone telling them how awesome you are, and why they should hire you. But that’s exactly what you have to do. You have to sell yourself in your cover letter, make the reader want to look at your resume and any other materials you attached. If you can grab their attention, you can get the interview.

Some Don’ts: Sometimes when you find a job to apply for, not all the details are there. For example, the posting might not give you the name of the person you are sending your materials too. This can be very frustrating. But don’t generically address the letter “Dear Sir or Madam,” or “To Whom It May Concern.” Try your hardest to do your research online to find out who does the hiring. Call the company if you have to. Since this is the person that you are trying to impress, don’t be long-winded and simply rehash everything that is in your resume. A cover letter should be a page long (3-5 paragraphs), at the most. After you finish this cover letter, don’t use it again. It’s never a good idea to reuse your cover letters and simply swap out names, company, position. Most importantly, don’t undersell yourself. You want them to call you for an interview and hire you. So a cover letter is not the place to be modest.

Some Do’s: Yes, you should focus on yourself but do make sure that you make it clear what you can offer the company. After you spend all that time selling yourself and telling them what you can do for them, do make sure you add your contact information at the end. It could be possible that your resume and letter will get separated, so be safe, not sorry. Do proofread, proofread, proofread! Mistakes showcase being unprofessional, and will certainly land you in the “no” pile. Make sure you do tell the employer when and how you will be following up. The follow up is very important in the application process.

Remember, be descriptive and brief in your cover letter. You get to expand on your accomplishments and achievements in a way that can’t be done in a resume. Take advantage of that, showcase what you want to do, what you can do, and how you are a valuable resource for the company.

photos courtesy of www.life123.com, www.dvorak-keyboards.com

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After all, we do enroll in college with some learning in mind, right? The difficult part is managing your school schedule, your social schedule, and your nerves as you encounter that first taste of this new experience. Many of you newcomers will either select or begin classes very soon, so here are a few things to keep in mind.

Don’t overload yourself. I’ve had a few eager friends who wanted to learn everything from Russian poetry to molecular biophysics right off the bat. It’s not a good idea to overload your schedule if you’re not yet used to the college classroom setting, let alone the campus scene. Your first year away should be just as much about enjoying yourself as it is about learning, so remember that the more classes you sign up for, the more homework and studying time you’ll have to plan for.

Tip: For many universities, this means avoiding 3000 (or 300, depending on your school) and 4000 (400) level classes (like, Anatomy 3020/320), which are usually reserved for students in their junior and senior years. Remember, the amount of credit hours per class is usually three (for schools that operate this way, that is), so someone taking 12 credits would be a full-time student with 4 classes.

Don’t underwhelm yourself. While you don’t want to crowd your semester with unnecessary stress, be aware that you are working towards many long-term goals, even during your freshman year. Some schools will provide milestones that you will need to complete in order to remain on track in either your specific major (like biology), or broader field of study (like, the school of Arts and Sciences). On your school’s website, navigate to your department, where you’ll likely find rules about maintaining your grades and your pace; also check here for the names of your advisers. The beginning of the semester can be a busy time for the school’s administration offices, but it’s worth it to make an appointment with a counselor sometime before your first term is up.

Check the campus map. If you think you’re going to make it from the English building all the way to Business 101 in ten minutes, you better make a plan. Too many first-timers make the mistake of scheduling classes too far apart and end up running from one building to another. Therefore, keep a map handy when picking classes, so you’ll be able to comfortably walk or take the bus to each destination. More importantly, know where your classes are versus the location of your room, and the cafeterias on campus. An hour of calculus can sure work up an appetite! (Which reminds me, you should probably know where the gym is, too.)

Know your graduation goals. It may seem early to be thinking about graduation, but some milestones require you to plan early. This includes reaching the minimum amount of credits required to graduate, and foreign language courses, which, when required, can take a few years to complete. Staying ahead of the game right now means avoiding last-minute senior year hassles. Plus, a timely graduation can make you a more impressive candidate in future job interviews. Lastly, just hop to it! Don’t wait until the third week of classes to get accustomed to each professor’s standards for assignment quality, and teaching format. Taking good notes will help combat later confusion—which will inevitably occur the night before a huge midterm—and will also be valuable first-hand documentation of how you best absorb information in various learning environments.

Tip: Even if you use separate notebooks or folders for each of your classes, use a general datebook (even a wall calendar, or an electronic organizer) to keep track of your test dates, paper due dates, and reading assignments, all in one place. Amid all that first-year fever, it’s easy to lose track of time!

(Good luck to my brother, Joe! Even if he isn’t a Nole.)

Photos courtesy of Google Images.

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While there is rarely an empty seat to be found in the library come finals week, not all studying is the same. Every book-laden student has a unique set of studying techniques that the student fastidiously abides by. Now, while the typical strategies may involve ten-foot stacks of note cards and review sheets paired with improved sleeping habits and gum chewing, others might step over into the realm of finger-crossing. Superstitions run high in uncertain times, like midterms or finals week, when test outcomes aren’t predictable. Many students ensure their success by wearing a lucky item of clothing or pencil; probably one that has delivered good scores previously. Others swear by strange charms, such as my friend, who’s at his luckiest when his favorite pair of underwear happens to the top of his drawer on a test day. Another solemnly claims she can only do well while using a decorative pencil on her exam.

Some traditions stray far from individual luck, and become something of a campus-wide practice. At the University of Oregon, students seeking help on their tests diligently place a muffin or other baked good at midnight by the feet of the Pioneer Father statue in the middle of campus. Comparatively, peeing on the Pioneer Mother statue on the other end of campus supposedly grants similar good luck on tests. (The sexism this ritual exudes can hopefully be overlooked for the moment.) UC Berkeley boasts a similar school-wide superstition called the “4.0 Ball.” Student-named, this decorative stone ball draws loads of test-taking hopefuls to rub it for luck the night before a big exam.

While the impact these practices have on the outcome of a test is impossible to measure, maybe the comfort they bring actually does make a difference. If sleeping with note cards under your pillow helps you to go into that killer test with confidence, it probably will keep your mind calm and collected throughout. Plus, the risk that comes along with an attempt to dispose of your personal ritual is too great–whether or not you believe the whole thing is a joke. Personally, I follow only one tried-and-true superstition before a big test: Convincing myself that I will fail. Oh, and studying. A balanced combination of these two usually works in my favor. Knock on wood.

Photos courtesy of: http://scienceblogs.com/seed/upload/2007/02/test.jpg and http://berkeley.edu/tour/vimages/life/traditions/ball.jpg

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2. Visit colleges before applying to them. You truly will not be able to find your dream school without seeing what the college is really like. This helps you to narrow down your selection of colleges, and focus on the applications for schools that really matter to you. I can attest to the fact that the so-called myth of “walking onto campus and feeling like you belong” is actually true.

3. Sign up to do a summer interview at the colleges you plan on applying to. Most schools offer summer interviews, but you have to sign up early for them, usually during the spring of your junior year. Doing an interview can help to enhance your application, thus making you a stronger applicant than the average high school student.

4. Use the same essays for multiple applications. There is no reason for you to create an individual writing sample for each school you apply to. If the application asks for a writing sample, why not save some time and use the same writing sample for multiple schools. Hopefully the majority of schools you apply to use the common application, meaning you only have to complete one application for all the schools that accept the “common app.”

5. Finally, remember to have fun during senior year and try not to think too much about college acceptance letters after you submit your applications. No matter what college you go to, you can only go through your senior year of high school once. So live it up while you can.

Photos Courtesy of: http://media.www.tcudailyskiff.com/media/storage/paper792/news/2008/04/17/News/Colleges.Working.Overtime.On.Record.Numbers.Of.Applications-3330630.shtml and http://www.with-honors.com/.

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Despite common reservations about the location and climate, most Penn State students are fiercely loyal to their alma mater. Penn State boasts one of the largest alumni populations in the United States; graduates are proud of their degrees, and employers recognize the University’s name immediately. Although the campus is located in a very rural area, school is technologically up-to-date and on the cutting-edge of current research.

Aside from academics, PSU is also known for its social scene, especially in relation to sports and parties. Nittany Lion football—home of the 2008 Big Ten Champions—is a national draw and a point of pride for both the University and the town of State College. For anyone interested in playing or watching varsity sports, PSU is a top choice. Penn State has also been ranked highly by many polls and “party school” surveys as one of the top party schools in the nation. While it certainly isn’t the wildest town, these rankings are definitely accurate. The small-town setting and large-school atmosphere makes for little else in the way of entertainment, so it can be hard to avoid encountering the party scene during your time as a student. Still, the mix of work and leisure seems to work well for most of the student body, and academic standards at Penn State remain relatively high. It’s easy to spend four years at Penn State as an ever-serious student, focused completely on whatever you choose to study. With so many opportunities to relax nearby, balance and moderation are some of the best skills to learn from your four years in college.

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The Ten BEST Things About Penn State

1. Academics balanced with partying
2. School spirit and Nittany Lion pride
3. Joe Paterno and Penn State football
4. The beautiful central PA landscape
5. THON
6. Homecoming
7. Campus safety
8. Huge alumni presence nationwide
9. Local atmosphere
10. Wide range of student activities

The Ten WORST Things About Penn State

1. Rural location (isolation)
2. Alcohol-centered culture
3. Lack of parking
4. Lack of diversity
5. Lack of organized nightlife and clubs
6. Big, bad winter weather
7. Repetitive campus food
8. Tiny rooms in East Halls
9. Crowded football weekends
10. Constant tuition increases

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Inside Scoop-Straight from Current Students!

Penn State Academics - “The teachers are very easy to approach because they don’t get a lot of one-to-one, student-teacher action. Professors lecture most classes, but the day-to-day questions and problems are handled by teaching assistants (TAs) and grad students. The exams are also almost exclusively proctored by TAs and grad students.”

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Penn State Guys & Girls

“The women here are gorgeous. There are lots of beautiful people, but it’s not even that. I’ve found people want to be happy being themselves. People here want to be fit. I don’t consider myself gorgeous by any means, but I love the people I have made friends with.”

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Penn State Local Atmosphere

“The town is great. Everyone is there for Penn State. There is a lot of pride in being a Nittany Lion. On the down side, University Park is in the middle of nowhere. Pittsburgh and Philly are both about three hours away; New York City is about five.”

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Penn State Rankings

Princeton Revie

• Best Career/Job Placement Services: # 5
• Best College Newspaper: # 9
• Everyone Plays Intramural Sports: # 3
• Best Northeastern Colleges

College Prowler

• Academics: B+
• Campus Dining: B
• Campus Housing: C
• Girls: B+
• Guys: B
• Nightlife: B+
• Weather: C

US News

• Rank: 47
• Score: 57
• Tier 1

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Similar Schools

Drexel University
University of Delaware
University of Maryland
University of Pittsburgh.

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Penn State Application Deadlines for Fall ‘09

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Penn State Photos

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Penn State Links

Penn State Official Webpage

Penn State Academics

Penn State Athletics and Recreation

Penn State Arts and Performances

Penn State News

Housing and Dining

Penn State Wikipedia Page

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Considering it is the Fourth this weekend, I figured it was about time to write about a historical event in the USA. Since the battle of Gettysburg’s anniversary is also this week, and I happened to just visit the battlefield last Saturday and Sunday, it seemed like maybe those of you who haven’t had the opportunity to do so, whether because you live in Washington State, or you live in Philadelphia but were never interested, might want to know a little more about it. Yes, even you girls–there were quite a lot of brave individuals whose story can sometimes get lost in History class.

The battle of Gettysburg occurred in 1863, right in the middle of the American Civil War (which occurred from 1861-1865) from July first to July third. The rumor is that it started over shoes–yes, shoes. Supposedly, the Confederate soldiers did not have enough shoes for their army and, because Gettysburg had a large shoe factory, the soldiers marched towards the town. But that’s just a old rumor–most historians agree that that is completely false, and that Confederate General Robert E. Lee was heading for Harrisburg, which is Pennsylvania’s capital.

Either way, the Confederate Army met the Union Army in the little town of Gettysburg, and fought a bloody, three day battle over the area. Most historians view this battle as the beginning of the end, because it was a great loss for the South, and lead to many more Union victories. Although the big picture story is very interesting, I found the little stories much more captivating. If you’re interested in learning about the battle overall, visit the Gettysburg Visitor Center’s Virtual Tour. I’m going to focus on individuals’ stories, and how they impacted the war, which, in my opinion, makes it more interesting.

In 1863, John Burns was seventy years old, and had fought in the War of 1812. He lived in Gettysburg, and had tried to help the Union at the beginning of the Civil War, but the army felt he was too old and so declined his offer to serve. However, during the battle of Gettysburg, Burns left his house, taking his old gun, and asked Major Thomas Chamberlin if he could join the Union soldiers. Although probably doubting how much help a seventy year old man could be, Chamberlin sent him to the McPherson Woods to fight with a Wisconsin regiment, where he fought admirably, although he was eventually wounded when the Union soldiers were pushed back. However, he was able to survive by lying to the Confederates and claiming he was a civilian that had gotten caught in the battle while attempting to help his sick wife. Burns decided that age would not limit his patriotism, and bravely fought for what he believed in at an age when most people would have believed they would be no help at all.

Burns story brings home the courage and patriotism of the people who fought at Gettysburg, but General Winfield Scott Hancock and Brigadier General Lewis Addison Armistead’s story shows the strains that the war put on friendships between those of the North and the South. Armistead grew up in Virginia, while Hancock grew up in Pennsylvania. However, the two served in the army together in California, until the generals had to pick sides to fight in for the civil war. Both went to fight for their home state, although when they parted, they still considered each other close friends, and Amistead gave a prayer book to Hancock’s wife before his departure. The two were each commanding opposite sides of the army at Gettysburg, and their armies met on the third day of battle on Cemetery Ridge. Amistead and his forces broke through the Confederate ranks, but was soon overwhelmed by the Confederates, and was wounded. He asked the Confederates to see his friend, Hancock, and was informed that Hancock also had just been wounded. This friendship between two men who were fighting on opposite sides of the army is fascinatingly tragic, for the two didn’t really want to hurt the other side, and yet had to because they wanted to protect their homes.

One last interesting story is apparently included in the movie Gettysburg, but, having never seen the film, I found the story quite interesting. On the second day of battle, an Irish brigade was about to march into the wheat fields, where two out of every three of them would die (it is said that, after the battle, a man could walk from one end of the field to the other without ever touching the ground). Reverend William Corby was present before the battle, and, stepping up onto a rock, granted absolution to all the soldiers present, and urged them to be brave; even the protestant soldiers bowed their heads in silence, and one remarked that it couldn’t hurt. Corby is the only chaplain who has a statue at Gettysburg, and he helped encourage the soldiers, who knew that many of them would die that day in battle. Before his famous speech, Corby had volunteered to join the war effort, and tended to the wounded.

So, those are some minor stories about the battle of Gettysburg, which have hopefully encouraged you to learn a little more about the battle overall. Although I wasn’t sure about whether I would enjoy the battlefield, I was surprised to discover I really did, and not because I found it educational, but because the stories were fascinating, and more so because they were true. What’s more interesting, a fictional movie with a brave guy that saves the world, or a true story about a man who fought for everything he believed in? I don’t know about you, but I prefer the latter, and would suggest to anyone who thinks battlefields are full of boring guns and canons to maybe take a trip and learn a little about history. You may find you actually enjoy it.

Know of some cool history from your area? Had an experience where you thought you would really hate a trip but ended up liking it? Comment!

Images courtesy of me! (The boyfriend is a history teacher, and we took pictures of. every. single. guy. on. a. horse. and. almost. every. single. monument. So I have a million pictures of Gettysburg now. Want to known more about the Civil War or Gettysburg? I can make him answer your questions! Maybe.)

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