EDITORIAL Hoodwinkers

Consider these situations: (1) You have fallen way behind in your math class. It is Wednesday afternoon and you have a test on Thursday. (2) The book you are supposed to read for your English class is about 500 pages long and the paper is due on Monday. It is Friday night and there is a big party to go to and the weather that weekend is supposed to be the best of the spring. (3) You have been studying chemistry all night, and you also have a test in the American Presidency the next day.

These are all situations in which a choice must be made. Each offers two paths to travel and it seems like the path of least resistance is the one many students are choosing these days: cheating.

Villanova University was recently part of a national survey on cheating in college in which 80 percent of the respondents acknowledged cheating in some way during their college careers.

The question that needs to be asked is, why do so many people cheat? The answers are numerous.

The expectations of parents, who in many cases are shelling out the loot, would have to be considered a prime motivator in the mind of the average cheater. Another factor that might arouse the bamboozler inside an individual is the knowledge that the job you end up with will be directly related to the numbers and letters that appear on your college transcript.

Professors must also be considered as factors in the cheating equation. There are two ways they help perpetuate the situation. The first is by not changing the tests and papers they assign from year to year and the second is by not reporting students they do catch in the act.

Explanations instructors might give for not reporting someone are: it ruins their academic credentials and severely limits the options the student will have in continuing their higher education, or, cheating is too difficult to prove and it is just too much of a hassle to try. In order to make an impact on a student's willingness to cheat, professors must be more willing to act. Official training in the area of academic integrity might help them more easily deal with the dilemma.

It is no secret that in order to truly improve yourself, you have to work hard. Unfortunately though, as a sign of the times, people are forever in search of an easier way to get things done.

Viewpoint

No time like the now

You never know when you are going to get a life lesson.

The other day, before I headed out of my house for theater rehearsal, I decided to grab a quick bite to eat. I grabbed a couple of Hot Pockets, which are either meat or vegetables wrapped in a croissant, and I threw them into the microwave. Approximately three minutes later I burnt my fingers taking them out of the oven. Unconsciously, I was rushing because I wanted to get to Cabrini to get a jump on what was going to be a long day rehearsing "Cabaret."

I had already scarfed down the first half of my first Hot Pocket when my mother entered the kitchen.

She gave me a quizzical look and asked me what I was doing. She noticed I was barely letting the steam from the Hot Pocket escape before I ate it.

A moment later she told me to slow down and relax.

"Notice the Hot Pocket in your hand. Be aware of every bite you take from it. Feel and taste the broccoli and creamy cheddar cheese in your mouth and against your tastebuds. Make each bite an event."

By this time, I did not know if I was eating lunch or engaged in a therapy session.

I admit it sounds very weird, but after some thought I realized that everything she was saying made sense.

I was not enjoying my meal. Hell, I did not even know what was in the Hot Pocket until I stopped and took notice.

The bottom line: I was not living in the moment.

After I took several minutes to actually focus on what I was doing (eating the Hot Pocket), I noticed I became more calm and satisfied.

Being aware of the food and thinking about how good it tastes and how it was nourishing me brought about these sensations.

It may sound strange, but I think that if you actually take the time to notice how good the simple and everyday occurances are, you just might be a happier person.

The game you have to play with your mind is to maintain foresight and vision about where you are going and what you want to do and at the same time be aware of the immediate moment.

Be aware of the conversation you are having with your friend at lunch.

by Paul Monte news editor

Be aware of how good it feels to get that paper done.

Be aware of how good it feels to get an "A."

Remember how good (or bad) you felt when you got drunk the other night.

Remember how good it felt to get a shower after reeking all day.

Remember how relieved you felt when you noticed you had one fresh pair of underwear left in the drawer.

Remember how awesome it was to just chill in your room and do absolutely nothing.

Remember how nice it was to hit the sack after a long day.

Notice a beautiful day.

Notice that you are simply breathing.

I know you might think this sounds really cheesy, but seriously, so did I until I was reminded about all of this while eating a Hot Pocket.

To remember the joy of the moment and to focus on the joy of it is important.

After all, you never know when your time will come and you sure as hell do not want to go while you are feeling pissed off.