Stated Spring 2011

Meet

Kara McCullough Semi-Finalist for Black College Today Magazine’s Miss Campus Fresh Face Competition

Losing weight?

How To: Decorate your dorm room

tips to help decorate on a budget

OMG shoes!

Read ways to shed pounds before Summer 2011 !!!

What’s the shoe game around campus?

Editor-in-chief • Jasmaine Ravenell

STATED DESIGN DEPARTMENT Jasmaine Ravenell • Executive Designer SC STATE UNIVERSITY Dr. George E. Cooper • President Anthony Holloman • Vice President Institutional Advancement Erica S. Prioleau-Taylor • Director University Relations & Marketing Rolondo Davis • Adviser

Office of Student Media

Table of Contents March/April 2011 Volume 3/Issue 2 whats inside matters...

Black College Todays Semi-Finalist for Miss Fresh Face on South Carolina State University’s campus

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10

14 ways for guys to stay out trouble in a relationship HOW TO: Spiffy up your living

28 Shoes. Oh my gosh Shoes...shoes!

Get a peak at your fellow bulldogs shoe game.

34 Get rid of that Freshman 15!!!

5 tips on being a healthy & fit college 38 Is our generation “dumbed down”?

Oshuteiya Campbell breaks down why we should not dumb ourselves down to appeal to a generation we should be uplifting.

Bulldog pride!!...catch it!!

Note from the Editor.

Its here! The new issue of STATED MAGAZINE! We are all excited to get the magazine flowing again. I hope you all liked the previous issue. In this issue, we tried to focus on the small things students go through during college while still maintaining the typical “college life.” For instance, handling relationship issues, student loan dilemmas and staying healthy.

With this new issue, we’ve learned a few lessons, you are going to hit snags in life; my staff and I can attest to. However, we were not going to let bumpy roads kill our magazine. As a team we have worked hard to try and keep STATED Magazine alive. I am more than happy to put in pictures of my fellow bulldogs, just so outsiders can see what we are like. The 2010-2011 school year has been one for the books, we all can agree. So we tried to let loose and have a little bit of fun with the magazine. I appreciate all feedback and any type of suggestions from you. Like I said, this is a magazine for students by students. Do not be afraid to throw in some of you own ideas.

Bulldog Pride! Catch it!

“And by the way, everything in life is writable about if you have the outgoing guts to do it, and the imagination to improvise. The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt.”

-Sylvia Plath

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Editor in chief, Jasmaine Ravenell

NEED HELP IN YOUR HARDEST CLASS??

CONTACT

ACADEMIC TUTORING TODAY!!

make your own study session for finals week

Open the door to your future!!

Student Success and Retention Program

FROM ORIENTATION TO GRADUATION Terrance M. Cummings Executive Director 3

For more information, please call 803.536.7124 or visit us at www.scsu.edu/currentstudents/studentssuccessandretentionprogram.aspx

Congrats class of 2011!!!

Join the Class of 2011 @ the Oliver C. Dawson Stadium Friday May 6, 2011 @ 7pm 4

Fashion

Do’s and Don’ts by: Chelsea Rainford

Have you ever looked at a person and thought the style they wear today may go out tomorrow? Trends are starting to get out of hand, people are trying to make them into something they could never be.

There are several Fashion do’s and don’ts in our generations, I have come up with a few examples and reasons why some should either be left alone, or continue until they die out.

One major thing that could have been very fashionable, took the turn for the worst. Leggings substituted as pants is a don’t; piecing it with graphic tees is even more of a DO NOT! Try putting it together with a dressy shirt that comes at least to the top of your knees. Another major turn off would be wearing short shirts and calling it a “classy outfit” is a major turn-off. Classy these days has lost it’s meaning and has been turned into trashy.

Moving toward a turn on, accessorizing has become a major look for both men and women. For woman, the simplest outfits can look amazingly trendy with a few bold necklaces or bracelets, or even a funky pair of earrings. With guys, accessories normally consist of brightly colored hats, wild colored shoes, or even a bit of bling, in their jewelry.

Guys go for rosaries and comfort, whereas woman fall for something with shine and color. Cuffed Jeans have become a popular, fashionable trend as well. Both genders wear it well with white V-necks paired a with nice pair of shoes (your typical pair of Chuck Taylors or newest pair of Jordans), or a matching pair of T strap-sandals, or those ballet flats that go with everything. Either way it’s a very tasteful thing to do.

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What was originally made to be for children are now being wore by college students, even grown adults who know no better at all. Silly bands go with their name, a silly creation made for a child. Whether it is in the shape of a trumpet, a dog, or Spongebob Squarepants™, sillybands are taking over the wrist of many consumers whether the age is four or 34.

The Black Boy - White boy swag, a cardigan over a fitted T-shirt and jeans has become the most recent and popular style of our generation. Our age group (college students especially, not necessarily grown men with children) wears this style and wear it well.

Though the generations have changed drastically when it comes to style, we will someday grow together in peace and fashionable harmony.

As for Big T-Shirts, they’ve become a statement for looking completely ridiculous and tacky along with baggy jeans. In fact the entire baggy look is absurd. Big tees are so out of style and way out of season, the only place they should be worn is in the comfort of your own home.

Bringing the Do’s and Don’ts of fashion to a close, let’s try ending on good note, one fashion DO that might live long, the Polo shirts with skinny jeans style.

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I luv my girlfriend!

ThingsTO DO:

y to stat of ou !! e! troubl D.J.Kennedy

Throughout the day to show her how much YOU I care...

Buy her flowers just because it’s wednesday Open her car door for her  Kiss her on the Forehead  Make her feel like she’s the only one that

matters  Hold her hand while going to class  Plan a Surprise Date  Show emotion when she shows emotion  Give her a special nickname  Look into her eyes at the right moment  Call & say I miss or love you anytime of day  Tell her how special she is, when she needs to be reminded  Let her wear your favorite jacket  Give her Compliments  Introduce her as your girlfriend in front of your friends 8

How to:

decorate your dorm a on budget

By: Jasmaine Lee Ravenell

Let’s say you have a $50 budget to spice your dorm up a little more.

Whether you decide on wall accessories, desk accessories etc, you always want consider size. You wouldn’t pay $15 on a small accessory that goes unnoticed and takes up very little space. While quality is always good for a small object, size in this case does matter. Start with the best in the room, your bed. You want your bed comfortable and full of color.

Target and Wal-mart hold the trophy when it comes to comfortable bedspreads in various colors, you want a twin size which is about $16.

Next, the desk, you want to keep it roomy. But make it look busy and productive. It’s smart to buy organizers. Cute boxes, file shelves, cups, and woven baskets, for papers and pencils. Most of the time they are sold in bulk, usually three for about $14 at Wal-Mart or Lowes, remember size matters. You always want to think of how much space will be taken up by the item you buy. Next we’ll move onto the wall. The wall is always fun to decorate, you always want to put alot of color on the wall so it will be first thing people notice when walking into your dorm.

Color is a key, it carries the eye around the area so a person can see just about everything you have hung. Big posters are fun, only $5 at Walmart. Also sold at bookstores usually sold for $5-9, they are always fun to look at and show off your favorite celebrity. Target is very good for having wall deocrations, clocks are good, paintings are also a plus.

Ever heard of the saying, “LOCATION! LOCATION! LOCATION!”

Also sold at bookstores usually sold from $5-9, they are always fun to look at and show off your favorite celebrity. Target is very good for have wall deocrations, clocks are good, paintings are also a plus. Ever heard of the saying, “LOCATION! LOCATION! LOCATION!”ost people like to put big pictures in the center but its good to put them down in the corner so the eye can gradually go across the wall and down the picture/poster.

One of my favorites to put on the wall is small picture frames, some may go expensive but usually at TJmaxx they’re really cheap for about $4 to $10 for a small or medium frame. Still remembering size matters, in this case you should do random sizes so the eye will scatter, it will catch every kodak moment you put up. Slowly making our way down to the floor, rugs are usually a resonable price. At your local Lowes you can pick up a nice size rug for $23, very good for in front of your bed or to wipe your feet on the way out of the shower. You always want to get a rug that contrast with the color of the carpet in your room. If you are stuck that ugly pale, cream color, dry, tile flooring then you usually want to get a bright color rug to steal away the attention from the tile. Last, I’m going to advice you on shelving which is never expensive, Lowes is very good with the wire shelves, which come in bulk for normally $12. You don’t want to abuse shelving because your room will look crowded. So two should do the job when it comes to organzation.

One good thing to do is use various styles, if you do get two shelves its good to get one wire and maybe one made out of wood. Price may go up but...just try it and see if it fits you.

Now lets go over what we’ve gotten so far for your dorm, we have your bed comfy and colorful, desk finished, wall complete, floor over and done with, and shelving up. Now for the math! About $16 for bedding, $14 for organizers for the desk, $10 for two posters, and your last $10 for those cute best friend picture frames. Your dorm is now decorated and looks more alive than before. Don’t be afraid to change it up every blue moon. And do what i do, when in doubt...

Decorate!

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Want to give to SC State?

To donate $10 to South Carolina State University 13

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How hard is it to be green?

By:Preston Drayton

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Sep/Oct 2010 | STATED

S

uddenly it seems as if everyone has become involved, some way or another with trying to save the environment. This is sometimes known as “going green,” or being “environmentally friendly”. This proactive procedure is good for everyone; it’s good for the environment, yourself, and the generations to come. The main reason for this sudden cautiousness is the wake of Global Warming becoming more of a threat.

Global Warming is the melting away the ice caps, causing the water levels to rise. It is also the cause of many other complications with Mother Nature, such as rising temperatures in areas where the temperature is not usually as high. With this being said, many things can be done to try and stop this from happening.

The steps are easy and should be done on a daily basis. Recycling is one of the main things needed to be done more regularly in the effort to be green. Paper, plastic, glass, and aluminum come to mind when you think of recycling, but there are many other items that you can recycle to help out. For instance, used batteries, old eyeglasses, and old tennis shoes are some items that you might not think about when recycling comes to mind, but they are a huge help.

There are other strategies besides recycling when it comes to being “green”. A couple of these include switching to energy-efficient light bulbs, using alternative transportation, carpooling, and even going around the community to pick up trash and items that should be recycled. When it comes to using alternative means of transportation there are also some benefits. The number one benefit would have to be the money that you save on gas and the maintenance of your vehicle, followed by helping the environment emitting less pollution into the air. When you use other forms of transportation you also save time, the HOV (high-occupancy vehicle) lanes are helpful when using the bus or carpooling, and this is said to reduce the level of stress that commuting using bears down on you while trying to “fight” that heavy traffic. Picking up trash around the neighborhood has obvious results.

All of these facts and helpful tips about how we as humans can save our environment should be taken into consideration every day, so that those to come after us will have a healthy life.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S 17

Just for Fun!

Using all the letters from the Alphabet in order, make up a sidesplitting story that will have you and your friends on the ground laughing.

T U V W X Y Z

Good luck!

Spring Break Blanks

professor’s name , Dear _____________________ verb Please excuse me from class, I ____________ my

body part trying to ________________ action verb _________ with my friends on spring break. While we were on the way back SB destination from _______________________________ we had to action verb _________________ and it went down hill from there. friends name You see, my friend ________________ was trying to action verb ____________________ when all of a sudden cartoon character shows up with the ___________________ adjective body part _____________ __________________ and yelling at me action verb about someone trying to ___________________. relative After a while my ___________________ called and told pet or relative me about __________________ running away. While action verb I’m still ________________ with cartoon character _______________________.

At the same time my friend friend’s name verb __________________ started to ____________________ adverb and they kept making some ____________________ noise. We all started yelling and then action verb cartoon character ___________________ decided to _______________ and hygiene product condiment and ________________. leave, taking my ___________ cartoon character I begin chasing __________________________ relative while still on the phone with my ___________________ pet or relative trying to ask about my ___________________ running away. My friends decide to leave with possession’s you love in the back seat. After all of my _____________________ condiment and ________________ hygiene product from retrieving my ____________ cartoon character ____________________, I made it back to my dorm. While spikey object walking there I stepped on a ________________. condiment Now I’m in my dorm putting ___________________ on body part my _________________ and can’t make it to

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class you missed ________________________.

What a Spring Break! your name Sincerely, _________________________________

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Kara McCullough

Miss fresh face for South Carolina State University

Interview with Kara McCullough

Sophomore from Virginia Beach, Virginia

SM: What’s your major? Why that major? km: Chemistry with a concentration in RadioChemistry. Chemistry was always going to be my major, but by default I was placed the Radiochemistry program.

I guess you can say it was allotted for me.

At first I was discouraged when I glanced at the curriculum. I spoke with Dean Lewis and Dr. Chang about staying in the program, and they were very persuading. :) I chose to stay in this field of study, because I want to research in nuclear aspects while still holding on to Chemistry.

SM: What made you choose South Carolina State University? km: My initial choice was Mary Baldwin, an all girls college in the Mountains, after my visit I was uncomfortable, the area was bland.

SC State became my home, especially after I found out about the powerful STEM program (science technology engineering and mathematics) at South Carolina State Univeristy. I love my major and the university.

SM: What do you do in your spare time? km: My spare time includes sleeping like all college students! Studying and doing homework like all college students! Playing intramural sports for the entertainment and watching my favorite basketball team team, the SC State Bulldogs ;) ;). In my spare time I enjoy working with the Sophomore Class E-Board and hanging with my closest girl friends Shonique McCloud, Deidra Danash Thompson, Davetta Davis and Asya Graham.

SM: Ever considered modeling? km: Modeling will always be one of my hobbies, but it becomes puzzling when I compare it to my major. I have tried high fashion modeling, but it didn’t work in due to my slightly muscular build in high school. I was persuaded and almost forced to loose weight to become a high fashion model. Modeling can work, when an individuals body is naturally thin, not forced. I just finished Charleston Fashion Week and have been invited to walk in New York Fashion Week.

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SM: How did you find out about the Miss Fresh Face Competition? km: I found out about the competition in Black College Today, which I always pick up in the CAB office. I always take a copy and apply for the internships. I received the message the week of Sophomore weekend (shout out to Kayla Carter, Shenita Thomas, Courtney Brown and Nate Shazier... the entire Sophomore E-board and class for making sophomore weekend a blast) during our Venus vs. Mars forum in Staley Hall. I was too shocked, I was constantly reading the message during the forum. Honestly I forgot I applied for the competition, which I feel made it better, because if I remembered that I did, I probably would have been stressed over the competition and who the finalist would be.

SM: How was the Miss Black & Gold pageant experience? km: A Flipping BLAST!!! I thank all the lovely ladies who competed, we put on a great show. I was extremely amped, the crowed was live and full of positive energy. I am so grateful for being honored with the crown and the winner of the talent portion. I put my all into every scene, showing SC State that I WILL represent the Beta Delta Chapter of APhiA with the highest respect and honor.

Kara won the title “Miss Black and Gold “ Spring 2011. The Miss Black and Gold Pageant , unders the sponsership of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., is an out growth of the longed traditon of Alpha chapter’s designation of outstanding young ladies to serve as “ Chapter sweethearts.”

“...Humble, Proactive, Generoous, tall, a bulldog.”

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SM: What was the application process? km: Please do not think other, but I do not remember what the application process entailed. I remember cropping a picture of a girlfriend Shonique out, uploading it, giving my G.P.A and a 100 words or less statement about myself. (I think it was suppoesd to be about me.. if not it was about school, or why we want to be Miss Campus Fresh Face.) :l SM: Can you describe yourself in five words? km: Humble, Proactive, Generous, Tall, a Bulldog. :) SM: Any advice for the future winner of Miss Fresh Face for S.C. State?

Kara and friend pose for a kodak moment on a gorgeous day around campus. km: Apply for the right reason and be honest in your application. This competition is more than being beautiful, it attracts intellect and gives out Scholarships. :) SM: Any idols? km: Alicia Keys, she’s amazing. I love that her motives to improve the black community are always to start with the young children.

Selita Ebanks, she is a beautiful black model. A model citizen, she gives back more than a beautiful face. She has many charities, the most recent Sierra Leone. The money raised for this charity was to build a new hospital and help many ill and caring needing individuals.

SM: Are you excited to be on the cover of STATED? km: Excited and nervous. I not much of a lime light seeker. Thank you very much for this opportunity! Go STATED Magazine!!!!!

SM: So I hear you can read minds. Hows that going? km: .....I knew you would ask that question.

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Congrats to The Collegian for winning 1st place, News Story

The Collegian South Carolina State University Dervedia Thomas “Orangeburg Massacre, HD Actors arrested”

2nd Place, Feature Story The Collegian South Carolina State University Dervedia Thomas “A Burning Passion”

1st place, Sports Story The Collegian Nkosi Kennedy “What happened?”

1st place Front Page Layout & Design The Collegian South Carolina State University Dervedia Thomas

First Place Award for General Excellence The Collegian

$tudent Loan Cri$i$ E By: Shanaya Edmunds

ducation has always been a valued commodity. You were once told that it is important to get your education because it is almost required for success but, what if the very thing that you were told would improve your life just became your ultimate down fall?

Impossible right? ---Wrong! Experts are now calling this once valued commodity a “higher education bubble.” They call it a bubble that is very much going to pop soon. Michael Barone, Senior Political Analyst, of the Washington Examiner, puts it this way. “Imagine that you have a product whose price tag for decades rises faster than inflation. But people keep buying it because they’re told that it will make them wealthier in the long run. Then, suddenly they find it doesn’t. Prices fall sharply, bankruptcies ensue, and great institutions disappear.

This has been a topic that many people have been hesitant to entertain for reasons unknown; regardless of the fact that it is very serious people that will impact many different aspects of this American Society. This problem cannot be contributed to just one issue. There are several matters that have caused this problem. Due to the fact that social security amounts are decreasing and many companies are reducing 401ks or forcing employees to cover retirement plans themselves, many Americans of the baby boomers generation are forced to work longer. With this generation not leaving the work force and the next generation heading into the workforce, a job shortage is being created.

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To add to the problem, with the economy failing, big companies are taking jobs overseas for cheaper labor so the fight for jobs becomes even more intense.

British author Sir Ken Robinson, says when he was a kid, having a degree meant you had a job and if you had a degree and no job that just meant you didn’t want one.

People aren’t feeling this way in 2010. In 2009, data showed that over the past quarter-century, the average cost of higher education has risen at a rate four times faster than inflation and twice as fast as the cost of health care.

The market crash of 2008 inflicted terrible damage on college endowments.

The Commonfund Institute reports that endowments dropped by an average of 23 percent in the five months ending November 30, 2008.

Now for those that don’t know, an endowment is funds donated to an institution or an individual. Seeing as how endowments are decreasing, it is safe to say the interest in higher education is declining which is leaving more people to rely on loans. If the institution lacks the funds there is no way they can give money to their students. Authors Joseph Cronin and Howard Horton comment: “The middle class, which has paid for higher education in the past mainly by taking out loans, now be precluded from doing so as the private studentloan market has all but dried up. In addition, endowment cushions that allowed colleges to engage in steep tuition discounting are gone. Declines in housing valuations are making it difficult for families to rely on homeequity loans for college financing. Even when the equity is there, parents are reluctant to further leverage themselves into a future where job security is uncertain.”

Bottom line is that without job security and the number of college attendees rising, there will be a lot of default loans.”

Most student loan companies give the option of deferring payment until six months after graduation. Most student choose this option due to the fact that they see it as a release from the stress of having to figure out how you would make your payments while still in school seeing as how most students don’t hold jobs.

With this most students don’t take an account that interest is accumulating everyday while you are in school.

With the average cost of college, by the time of graduation an was $50,000 has been tacked to your name as debt and with the economy the way it is the odds of obtaining a job straight out of college has a whopping 5% success rate. So, for my math people, here is the equation: $50,000 in loan money + interest + 6 month grace period + no job + an estimated $500.00 monthly payment = TROUBLE! Hope we all have knee pads because we’re going be doing a whole lot of praying.

Josh always matches his fitted hats with a clean pair of Jordans.

At South Carolina State University, we have students from all over the country. Along with their respective accents and dialects, different ways of life and food preferences, our in and out of state students bring with them a different style. One thing our students have in common is their admiration for the most popular pair of sneakers, Jordans. We walked around campus to get a closer look at which Jordan pair we fancy the most.

The 2010 Chevrolet Camaro is the ideal car for the speed-loving graduate, not only because of its 3.6-L V-6 engine but because of its starting price of $22,995.00.

Jay keeps it simple with a black and brightly contrasting highlight yellow pair of Jordans.

Harrison likes black on black jordans since they go with everything.

Fellow Bulldog fresh from head-to-toe never walks around campus without a complementary pair of “J’s.”

Mitchell is always laid back when it comes to the way he dresses. But he’s never afraid to throw on a pair of Jordans

How To: Stay Fit in College

1. Improvise.

by: Jasmaine Ravenell

If you can’t find anything to eat in the dining hall, this is where you improvise. Mix and match different types of food that both please your buds and won’t hurt your health.

Heading to the café? Grab a salad, and maybe a turkey sub. Feenin’ for The Pit? Skip the Skyscraper Grill and W.O.W wing café and grab a spot in the Substation line. Grease is another you want to avoid. The Pit is not always the best place to dine in if you’re trying to shave off a pound or two. It may not be as satisfying as a good burger, but it’ll all pay off in a few weeks. Only have water and roman noodles in the dorm? No problem.

Surprisingly Roman Noodles will not hurt you, when trying to lose. But don’t indulge in only packaged pasta. After a few packs, go to the cafe and grab some fruit. Never hurts to be hands on.

2. Hit the pavement.

Run, walk, skip, and stay active. Get your bloods flowing so you’ll have enough energy to see burn off some calories, what do you have to lose? Besides a few pounds (wink wink). Yes, it may seem hard at first, but after a while it will come naturally to wake up and go for a jog. Find a partner. Someone to motivate and challenge you, it really works. Rome wasn’t built in one day and it wasn’t done by one person. No more catching rides to Nance Hall. Grab your Ipod, Blackberry, or Android to have some music to relax you or pick you up and walk to class. Especially this semester, the weather is nice and who wouldn’t want to be outside on days when the sun is shining.

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Most chips are not good for you.

They may be quick and yummy..but really its like a bad relationship. It’s not worth the extra weight and in the end you’ll be the one suffering for it. So do what’s best and leave it on the rack.

This is Sub Connection, born and raised in the Pitt. Never met before? I’ll introduce you now.

Sub Connection meet SC State Student...SC State Student meet Sub Connection. Now that you know each other, you should see each other very often from now on. Try and keep it simple but delicious when eating here, no meatball, no ham, and no white, no italian herb and NO!!! Baja Chicken.

Warning!! If you are trying to lose weight and stay on a healthy diet. These two places should become your worst enemies. Nothing healthy will come from eating here..maybe delicious but not good for weight lose.

3. Don’t be afraid to invest.

Wal-Mart carries very useful hand weights. I use the 5lbs. weights, but feel free to pick your own amount to carry. If your not interested in carrying weights while walking or running its fine to go free hand. Their good for working your biceps, ankleweights are also a good investment, for those who are like me with weak ankles. It’s always great to have bottled water, so yet again, make a Wal-Mart run and grab a case of Dasani water. 20 bottles for about $6 stay hydrated.

4. NO! eating after 9pm.

Eating after 9p,m is not a good idea, because your body is winding down, and you’re probably in the process of getting into bed. Try avoiding eating and then sitting down for long periods of time. Girls are bad for this, girl talk late at night and you want those chips and soda or a late delivered pizza. Guys have a habit of this as well. Well in order to stay fit, you have to get away from the late night cravings.

Many people say dieting is never a good idea. But this is not a diet, it’s healthy eating and exercise. Something everyone should do. But it benefits college students the most because we are prone to fast food. With a McDonalds, Wendy’s, Taco Bell and a new Cookout only a 2 minute walk away and less than a gallon of gas away, we can’t help but crave and want. So can you blame us? Not only that, but we’re all kids at heart and we like the little snacks that consist of bag chips, candy bars, skittles, sodas and worst of all honey buns.

Last but not least...

5. Determination.

Nothing gets done without some kind of push. Maybe even a shove. Any type of drive that keeps you going and helps you want what you want more and more each day. Even if you have to push yourself, I promise the end result will be gratification to the max. All because you did it alone, with nobody’s help, that’s a reward in itself. Now if you do decide to find someone to motivate you, it will be another great reward. You can enjoy the new you together and enjoy the fact that you can check that off your 2011 resolution list.

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D

is for Diploma?

by: Teiya Campbell

Some of us here on scholarships find ourselves on probation because we don’t even know what GPA we have to maintain to keep our financial aid. Learn the rules, and listen when someone is explaining them to you. Ask questions of your professors and actually read your syllabi and course material.

We are all grown here. Unless you go to Felton, there is no reason that anyone should be holding your hand. Nobody is obligated to, and good luck finding someone who is willing.

Most professors here have better things to do than figure out why you aren’t completing your work and showing up to class.

Either way, they are still getting paid.

Study and go to class. You would think that this is common sense, but a lot of us do not do it. We feel that we can just blow off class for various reasons. “Oh, he ain’t talking about anything important anyway.” But you don’t know, while your professor isn’t the lecturing type, he might make your participation- or lack of- as a detrimental part of your grade.

Your fellow students can only help you so much, and when each of us has our own unique problems, we hardly have time to be babysitting you.

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f you are a college student, it is safe to say that you worked hard to get here. The admissions process is a very difficult and stressful time, and once admitted, it is very hard for you- the student- and your parents to figure out how to cover the very expensive costs of an education. Besides that, there are the emotional and transitional issues that come along with leaving home and adjusting to college life, especially when home is hours, states, countries away. We have to learn to adjust.

With all the effort, money and emotional strain that come along with college, why is it that some students dumb down once they get here? According to the American College Test, only half of the students you began school with will actually leave with a degree, and it is estimated that an average of 25% of freshmen will drop out.

And don’t get it wrong. It does not matter what GPA you had in high school, what your rank, test score or office you held in your days as a secondary school student, these numbers apply to each of us, and happens to the best of us. From Harvard to the lowest ranked junior college.

When only seventy-five percent of freshmen return for their sophomore year and our classes dwindle with each passing term, we have to ask ourselves as students: What’s causing us to drop out, and how can we avoid these problems?

The following tips are really very simple, and that is the problem with young adults. We skip over the little and often tedious methods that could greatly impact our lives because we don’t think it is important enough to take heed to.

The first thing we can do is understand how our school works. If we understand the rules here, it is less likely that we will fail or flunk out. For example, every professor at South Carolina State University has the right to fail you if you have more unexcused absences than the amount of credit hours the class is worth. That is, if the class is worth just a single credit, you have only ONE time to miss a class unexcused before you are subject to fail the course.

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No, until it comes at the expense of our education. Bottom line, we are all here to learn. And when you are spending more money at the club than you are for tuition, we have a problem.

When your hair and your nails and your party dresses are all paid for, but you still don’t have a book for math class, we have an issue. When you see your women more than you do your professors, you won’t last here.

Outside of extreme financial difficulties, most problems related to failing classes and dropping out are those that fall on us. We cannot blame anyone but ourselves for our failures.

When our loved ones have gotten us here, after you have worked hard to be here, and with all the resources and people here to assist you, the only reason that we are failing and dropping out is because we are dumbing down. We are giving up, not looking for a solution. We are playing a dangerous game when we gamble with our education. When we do so, we are surrendering our dreams, and losing sight of the ultimate goal.

The good news, though, is that regardless of past mistakes, all it takes to set things straight and get back on the right path is a new attitude and a different mindset. Deciding to buckle down and get our priorities together will result in better academic performance. But when a new state of mind isn’t in your plans, is not what you are aiming for, is not what you are working for or indifferent toward changing, perhaps South Carolina State University is not the place for you. as Shawarma, Falafel, and Arabic bread. Shawarma is one of the most popular dishes in Dubai. Its made with your choice of chicken or lamb (poor lamb chop) wrapped up with tomatoes, pickles, garlic sauce and fries. Falafel is the Arabic French fry.

These special fries are made out of mixing chickpeas and different spices.Then the cook deep frys and serves it as a side dish. Tired of the same olemonkey bread, try Arabic bread. This bread is freshly baked in clay ovens and served with a variety of dishes that go perfect with Indian curries. YUM! Wait, I bet your still thirsty. Make sure you get a glass of Fruit Juice to go with the Shawarma. Decide to go half way across the world and still eat American food? Have no fear, McDonalds is here!

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et involved. You’d be surprised at the people you meet, the connections and resources you find outside of your dorm room. Having a diverse group of friends and study groups and organizational team members can be of great benefit you. Also, when you join a group, there is usually an adult mentor there to oversee it. Having someone to look up to and someone to whom you can go for guidance can be all the push you need to boost your morale about university life, balance on campus, and motivation when you need it.

Find out who your advisor is. Your advisor can tell you whether or not you are in the right classes to graduate on time with the degree you desire.

When you are doing your best in a class that you simply cannot understand, your advisor is who you should seek help from. Tutoring, or maybe even a course change, can be really helpful to your GPA. Some of us still do not know who our departmental advisor is, but knows everyone’s personal business around campus.

Keep track of your money. As students, it’s easy to be broke on campus. But think about what you can cut back on. For example, if you have a meal plan, then maybe you could cut back on the daily trips to China King or McDonalds with your friends and go to the Pitt instead. You never know, the money you save when you cut back could be enough to buy an impromptu supplementary book for your English class, or enough money to buy a report cover that is required for an upcoming essay. And of course, there is our social life. College can be really fun. This is a community of peers all living together away from parental supervision, and filled with freedoms. There is no more truancy; Dr. Cooper isn’t walking around campus making sure your homework is done. Right?

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